Westminster insiders have suggested that the Assisted Dying Bill, which the House of Commons just voted in favour of, is in fact a sly way to get rid of the House of Lords.
'There's a provision that the subject must be no more than 6 months from dying - well, that should cover about 90% of them,' said the spokesman today. 'And of course, they have to be ill - but dementia would count, surely?
'Also a High Court judge has to sign off on it. But as long as we pick one who isn't in the Lords himself, I'm sure he'll be glad to get rid of a few rivals.'
Of course, to become law the bill will also have to pass the Lords, which might cause some problems.
'We'll have to hope they don't realise it's directed at them. Or just make sure it's not debated the same day as hunting, shooting or fishing, so hardly any of them turn up.'