Suffolk MP urges Prime Minister to tackle assisted dying Bill delays
Bury St Edmunds MP calls for action as Bill faces procedural hurdles
Last updated 16th Mar 2026
Over 150 MPs have written to the Prime Minister, asking for intervention as the assisted dying Bill faces delays in the House of Lords.
Labour MP Peter Prinsley, representing Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, co-ordinated the letter demanding the Prime Minister address the use of procedural tactics by some peers to block the Bill.
Prinsley, a consultant doctor, highlighted the importance of ensuring the elected House of Commons has the opportunity to decide on the issue.
“A small number of peers have been using procedural tactics to block the Bill in the House of Lords and it now appears very likely that they will prevent it returning to the Commons before the end of this session.
“While we fully respect the Government’s neutrality on the principle of assisted dying, we are confident that you would agree with us that we cannot be neutral on the fundamental democratic principle that it is for the elected House of Commons to decide on this matter.”
His letter added: “Our constituents, in every part of the country, strongly support a change in the law and it is clear to us that the issue must be resolved sooner rather than later.
“Our ask is simple. That, whether or not the Bill returns through the private members’ bill ballot after the Kings Speech, time will be found for Parliament to come to a decision in the next session.
“It would remain a conscience issue for MPs, the Government’s neutrality would be maintained, and it need not take up time reserved for government business.”
Prinsley’s appeal comes amid claims that blocking tactics are hindering the Bill's progress, with only half of the 1,200 amendments debated after 11 days of scrutiny.
The Government has maintained neutrality on the principle of assisted dying, asserting it as a matter of individual conscience for parliamentarians.
Labour MP Jess Asato, who opposes the Bill, said it still contained “faults and issues” which were yet to be resolved in the Lords.
The Lowestoft MP said: “The sponsor of the Bill has rejected 99% of suggested improvements and amendments in the House of Lords and so it still contains all the same faults and issues.
“We know this is true because the experts, such as the royal colleges and professionals have told the Lords this.
“Any MP that voted to push this Bill through would do so knowing that it is unsafe and would harm vulnerable people.”
The public petition on Parliament’s website supporting the Bill has gathered over 97,000 signatures pressing the House of Lords to advance the legislation.