Politics LIVE: Starmer clashes with Sunak over national security at PMQs as assisted dying bill introduced
Labour government will allow free vote by MPs on controversial assisted dying bill
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Sir Keir Starmer was involved in a tense exchange with Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) over national security.
Mr Sunak said the PM has halted the implementation of the foreign agents registration scheme. Mr Starmer simply replied “that is not correct”, before sitting down to cheers from Labour backbench MPs.
The foreign agents registration scheme would ensure that those working for a foreign power declare their lobbying activities with the UK government.
At PMQs, Mr Starmer also revealed that the government is considering sanctioning two Israeli ministers over their support for blocking aid from entering the Gaza Strip.
Shortly after PMQs the private members bill on assisted dying was formally introduced to the House of Commons.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who is bringing forward the proposals, has said that disabled and vulnerable people will not be at risk from the legislation as it will apply only to terminally ill adults.
She said the end of life bill will have “stringent” criteria and the legislation was about giving “autonomy” to people at the end of their lives.
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Assisted dying Bill introduced to House of Commons
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has been formally introduced in the House of Commons.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle confirmed the Bill will have its Second Reading on Friday, November 29.
On that day it will be debated and could face its first vote, with MPs deciding according to their own conscience rather than along party lines.
The Bill is expected to be more commonly referred to as Kim Leadbeater’s Bill on choice at the end of life for the terminally ill.
Government considering sanctions against Israeli ministers
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the government was still considering sanctions against Israeli ministers as pressure mounted on the Tel Aviv government over its actions in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.
Former foreign secretary Lord Cameron had been “working up” sanctions against Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir during his final days in the role before the general election was called.
Asked at Prime Minister’s Questions whether those sanctions would be applied, Sir Keir said: “We are looking at that.”
He said the pair had made “abhorrent” comments about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
The prime minister added: “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. The death toll has passed 42,000 and access to basic services is becoming much harder.
“Israel must take all possible steps to avoid civilian casualties, to allow aid into Gaza in much greater volumes and provide the UN humanitarian partners the ability to operate effectively.”
New government will work hand-in-hand with Wales to bring down NHS waiting lists, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to work with the Welsh government to bring down NHS waiting lists, claiming the previous government was in conflict with them.
This came after The Independent last month revealed that a groundbreaking cross-border deal has been struck between the UK and Welsh governments to help ease the NHS waiting list crisis.
Pointing out that one in five people in Wales are on NHS waiting lists, Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville-Roberts said: “The secretary of state for Wales says that a new cross border NHS plan would bring down Welsh surgery waiting lists - but the first minister of Wales contradicts her. She denies it has anything to do with bringing down waiting lists.”
Responding, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The difference is, we now have a Westminster government that wants to work with the Welsh government to deliver for the people of Wales. For fourteen long years, the Welsh government was in a position where the then government was in conflict with them.
“We will work together, collaborate and ensure that together we deliver across Wales.”
Sunak rebuked for trying to score ‘party political points’ on Britain’s security
Sir Keir Starmer has rebuked Rishi Sunak for attempting to score “party political points” on Britain’s security and education. The leader of the opposition hit out at the government for its decision to halt the progression of the Freedom of Speech Act, suggesting the decision would make it easier for China to exert political influence over UK universities.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, he said: “Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee have warned that British universities are a rich feeding ground for China to exert political influence over us.
“That’s why we passed the Freedom of Speech Act with new powers to help defend universities from this threat, but the new education secretary has since blocked it.
“So can the prime minister tell us how, without this tool, the government will prevent Chinese influence over our universities?”
Responding, Sir Keir said: “I really don’t think party political points on security and intelligence is right. Honestly, throughout the last parliament we stood with the government on all questions of security and intelligence because it was important for the outside world that we did so.”
He added: “He speaks about the record of the last government. That record was 14 years of failure, six years of austerity, three years of Brexit logjam, then Johnson, Truss and the leader of the opposition – utter failure. “And this government was elected to do things differently, to make fairer choices and most importantly to give Britain its future back.”
Analysis: Consensual Rishi Sunak proves why the Tories should have got a new leader already
With Keir Starmer on the backfoot of Taylor Swift-gate, threats of a £40 billion black hole in Labour’s spending plans and inflation figures suggesting that the last government may have actually fixed the economy, there was plenty for Rishi Sunak to shoot at.
Instead he chose to use his six questions on China, a mostly consensual issue apart from a difference over protecting freedom of speech in universities.
With the Budget just around the corner there was an opportunity for an engaged Tory leader of the Opposition to apply pressure.
Mr Sunak missed the chance and even allowed Sir Keir to have a free hit on his government’s record.
This is why there is genuine concern about him responding to the Budget on 30 October with a new leader not in place until three days later.
Sunak claims PM has halted foreign agents registration scheme
Sunak claims that the prime minister has halted the foreign agents registration scheme.
Starmer replies “that is not correct” and then sits down to cheers from his backbenchers.
Starmer calls for release of Jimmy Lai
Sunak asks if David Lammy will raise the case of imprisoned British citizen Jimmy Lai. Starmer called for the immediate release of Mr Lai.
Starmer congratulates Tuchel on England job
The prime minister wished new England men’s football manager Thomas Tuchel all the best in his new role and joked he would not hold his previous job against him. Sir Keir is an Arsenal fan and Mr Tuchel previously managed London rivals Chelsea FC.
And we begin...
Sir Keir Starmer’s kicks off PMQs by paying tribute to former SNP leader Alex Salmond who died at the weekend. The prime minister described him as a “monumental figure”.
PMQs will begin shortly...
Sir Keir Starmer will face off against Rishi Sunak for one of the final times before a new Tory leader is crowned. In the future the prime minister will be grilled by either Kemi Badeboch or Robert Jenrick.
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