Lord Harper warns Assisted Dying Bill is 'disaster waiting to happen' - 'Real danger for disabled people'

Although the bill comfortably passed its 2nd reading in November by 55 votes, this week, critics have spoken out against changing the law.

"Not a single organisation representing disabled people supports this bill," Lord Harper said.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists said it has "serious concerns" and said it can’t support the bill in its current form.

The institution warned of "concerning deficiencies" and palliative care doctors are also against a change.

Although MPs have a free vote on the legislation because it is seen as a matter of conscience, the Private Member’s Bill has come about because the Prime Minister made a promise to celebrity Esther Rantzen, who has terminal lung cancer, that time would be made for a debate in parliament.

The Government is already facing a backlash from voters - and some of its own MPs - over welfare cuts and cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

• Nigel Farage prepares to send in 'Doge auditors' after Reform exposes crazy council spending sprees
• ‘You live in fantasy land!’ Chaos as Matt Goodwin loses it in explosive migrant crisis row
• Keir Starmer poised to U-turn on Winter Fuel Payments in just weeks

In his exclusive interview with the People's Channel, Lord Harper warned: "If I were a Labour MP, if I were looking at the impact they've had on the doorsteps, on the Winter Fuel Payment, the fact that the Government is proposing to cut PIP, [Personal Independence Payment] which is not a benefit about being out of work, but about supporting people to live independent lives and actually be in work.

"The cut to that, if you take that with this legislation, I think there's a real danger that disabled people will conclude that this Government really doesn't care for them at all.

"And if I were a Labour MP, I'd be very worried that the consequence of those things together would be incredibly damaging."

Over a hundred Labour MPs might potentially rebel when disability cuts are voted on in June, and the local election results have brought into sharp focus how quickly the public has soured on the new Government.

The impact assessment on the Assisted Dying Bill makes clear that people opting to die would save the NHS money.

Harper said: "I don't want to live in a world where we find it easier not to help and support people, and they feel pressure, (even if it’s subtle) that it would be better if they weren't here.

"I think that's a retrograde step. And once we take that step, there is no going back."

And Harper is blistering about the squeamishness supporters have for how it's described: "I prefer to call it the assisted suicide bill, because that's actually what it is", and elaborates "my worry about it is that vulnerable and disabled people, in my experience, often have many challenges to face".

"What they want is help and support, to live well and live independently. And they think this fundamentally changes society's view of people that are faced with challenges.

"And so my view it's a disaster waiting to happen."

MPs will vote on the bill in June.