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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that he will abstain from voting on the assisted dying bill for England and Wales, marking a clear departure from the stance of his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is expected to be debated and voted on in the House of Commons within the next two weeks. This legislation, which mirrors the bill introduced last year, previously passed the Commons but was stalled in the House of Lords due to a large number of amendments, ultimately running out of time.
Burnham acknowledged that he holds his own personal opinions regarding assisted dying but emphasized that it is ultimately up to Parliament to make the decision. While Starmer supported the previous version of the bill as Prime Minister, he maintained official neutrality and refrained from campaigning for it. In contrast, Burnham has decided not to vote during the Second Reading, stating that as prime minister, he must lead a government that respects the will of Parliament and that it is important for all MPs to perceive the vote as genuinely free.
In a letter addressed to Labour MPs, Burnham highlighted the very personal and sensitive nature of the debate, noting that “there is no single right position.” He underscored the importance of treating differing viewpoints with dignity and respect. Although his decision to abstain differs from Starmer’s previous support, Burnham confirmed that the government would officially maintain a neutral stance on the bill. Previously, as Greater Manchester mayor, Burnham had indicated a general support for assisted dying in principle, but more recently, in June, he expressed concerns about the readiness of social and palliative care services to effectively support such legislation.
Burnham has also advised ministers that they are free to vote according to their personal views but instructed them to avoid engaging publicly in the debate or commenting on how the bill might affect their respective departments. Among government officials, Health Secretary Yvette Cooper has previously voted in favour of assisted dying, while her predecessor, Wes Streeting, raised concerns about the potential consequences for the NHS. The bill, championed by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, seeks to legalize assisted dying for adults over 18 who are expected to die within six months, contingent on strict safeguards. Supporters hope the Commons will pass the bill without amendments to prevent it from being delayed again in the Lords, where opponents have submitted a significant number of amendments in the past.
The previous bill was notably delayed in the Lords after opponents introduced over 1,200 amendments, a move criticized by campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, who accused opponents of attempting to sabotage rather than scrutinize the legislation. While supporters remain hopeful that an unamended bill could win the Lords’ approval, opponents have pledged to continue their scrutiny. It is also worth noting that a separate assisted dying bill was rejected by the Scottish Parliament in March 2026
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