Keir Starmer will go into meeting with Chinese president with ‘eyes wide open’, says minister – UK politics live

Starmer in Rio de Janeiro for G20 summit and is set to become first UK PM to meet Chinese president in six years

Harriet Harman, the former Labour party deputy leader, used an interview on the Today programme this morning to criticise Wes Streeting, the health secretary, for his stance on the assisted dying bill. Echoing comments she made in an interview with the Observer, she said:

I do think that [Streeting has] crossed the line and has given the impression that the government is not neutral …

If government ministers, especially the secretary of state, for health, if they speak out, then the government’s position of neutrality is compromised. Individual MPs will be feeling as if they have to support the government or be against the government, and this principle of neutrality on moral issues is very important.

1/ After opposing assisted dying in the Commons a decade ago, I was convinced to change my view by a constituent while serving as an MP. Their story stayed with me and shaped my perspective. #AssistedDyingBill

2/ Today, I deeply admire the work of Kim Leadbeater and will support her bill. The proposed safeguards are thoughtful, thorough, and, if anything, more restrictive than I had anticipated. #TerminallyIllAdultsBill

3/ I am surprised to see my House of Lords colleague, Harriet Harman, making media appearances in recent days criticising Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He is doing his job and is entitled to his position.

4/ MPs should absolutely be made aware of the practicalities of new legislation. That is the essence of good governance and responsible debate. #AssistedDying

5/ I sincerely hope campaigners for the Bill focus on dialogue, not confrontation. Shouting down proper debate risks deterring those, like me, who have considered and changed their stance. #OpenDebate

The appalling state of human rights across China must be top of the agenda, including raising alarm about the industrial-scale repression of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, the crushing of press freedom and hounding of activists and critics in Hong Kong and China.

Prime Minister Starmer must also be clear that China’s campaign of terrorising students and campaigners here in the UK will not be tolerated.

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Keir Starmer will go into meeting with Chinese president with ‘eyes wide open’, says minister – UK politics live

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