The prime minister will not vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill when it returns to parliament next month to avoid influencing debate, he has told government ministers.
In a personal minute shared with ministers last week, Andy Burnham said the government will remain neutral on the “deeply personal” question of assisted dying and on the passage of the bill.
“We will all bring different life experiences to this debate, and I know the decisions Ministers come to will weigh heavily on them”, the prime minister wrote.
“As such, everyone must be given the space to arrive at their own view, and it is vital that those different views are treated with dignity and respect.”
Ministers should be able to reach their own conclusions without feeling that the government is seeking to influence the debate, Burnham added.
He also asked ministers to avoid influencing the process, reminding them that the government position is to remain neutral.
“Of course, Ministers do not need to resile from their previously stated view when directly asked about them and can correspond with constituents about their previous position, but they should avoid being part of the public debate, and should not express views about the implications of the Bill for their Department’s responsibilities.”
MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on its second reading in the House of Commons in November 2024, with a majority of 55 votes. In June 2025, the bill was passed with a 23 vote majority on its third reading and progressed to the House of Lords.
Following the introduction of around 1200 amendments by the lords, the bill failed for lack of time when amendments could not be agreed before the end of the House of Lords session in May 2026.
Lauren Edwards, Labour MP for Rochester and Strood, reintroduced the bill in June this year and it will be debated again by MPs at its second reading on 11th September. If the bill passes, it will return to the House of Lords.
