Citizens' assemblies could propose assisted dying laws, says Labour

Labour could use citizens' assemblies to propose new laws on tricky issues including assisted dying, if they win power, Wes Streeting has suggested.

The shadow health secretary backed the model, which he suggested could help win back public trust in democracy.

The assemblies are already in operation in Ireland, where they are made up of 100 citizens, including a moderator.

The idea was suggested by Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff Sue Gray.

Asked about citizens' assemblies, Mr Streeting told the BBC his party is looking at "a whole range of ways" to try to engage people in the political process.

He said there was "a real shortage of trust", adding: "I think we've got to look at how we can reconnect democracy with the public."

He said: "We want to think on some of the thorny issues in society, some of the most difficult and sensitive issues.

"Big debates like assisted dying… Thinking about how you can involve the public in a really thoughtful and meaningful way so that citizens don't feel disconnected from Parliament but feel like Parliament is actively listening to the voice of the people and not just at election time."

Last year, Labour's leader Sir Keir Starmer said there were "grounds for changing the law" on assisted dying, adding that MPs should be given a chance to vote with their conscience on the matter.

A bill to legalise assisted dying in the UK was defeated in 2015, but was backed by Sir Keir and several Tory cabinet members at the time.

Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. While there is no specific offence of assisted suicide in Scotland, euthanasia is illegal and can be prosecuted as murder or culpable homicide.

Ms Gray highlighted the issue of citizens' assemblies in an on-the-record interview for a biography of Sir Keir, which is being serialised in the Times before the book is published later this month.