Keir Starmer has disappointed campaigners and terminally ill individuals by announcing that the Government will maintain a neutral stance on a fresh attempt to legalize assisted dying.

Last year, Members of Parliament approved the bill in a significant vote, but the initiative to allow terminally ill patients to end their lives was thwarted in the House of Lords due to numerous amendments introduced to delay the process.

Today, Labour MP Lauren Edwards is reintroducing the cause through a new private members’ bill, mirroring the proposal previously led by Kim Leadbeater.

Prime Minister Johnson confirmed that the Government’s position on the bill remains unchanged, stating that they will not take a stance on it due to the diverse and firmly held opinions within Parliament.

The bill will undergo its initial parliamentary phase today, with a debate by MPs scheduled for September. Edwards, who secured the second spot in the Private Members’ Bill lottery, aims to enable terminally ill individuals in England and Wales, with less than six months to live, to seek an assisted death with approval from medical and legal professionals.

In a statement to The Mirror, Edwards emphasized the urgency of addressing the needs of individuals facing challenging circumstances and stressed the responsibility of politicians to follow through on supported legislation.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, commended Edwards’ efforts to rectify the perceived injustice of the bill’s previous failure, emphasizing the importance of not allowing a select few unelected individuals to influence end-of-life choices for everyone.

Despite some critics labeling the bill as “deeply flawed,” with concerns raised about its safety, the presentation of the bill in Parliament today indicates a renewed push for discussions and potential approval in the upcoming months.