Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMike TaylorFriday 28 August 2026 16:36 BSTLabour MP backs Assisted Dying bill in emotional commons speechPrime minister Andy Burnham has announced he will abstain from voting on the upcoming Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to avoid unduly influencing the parliamentary debate.The legislation proposes allowing terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to request an assisted death, subject to doctor and expert approvals.Burnham confirmed that the government remains neutral on the legislation, giving Labour MPs a free vote according to their conscience during the debate scheduled for 11 September.Burnham previously suggested that palliative and social care funding should be fixed before legalising assisted dying, though sponsor Lauren Edwards maintains end-of-life care can be improved alongside the legal change.Labour MP Lauren Edwards welcomed the prime minister's confirmation of government neutrality and called for all perspectives in the upcoming debate to be treated with dignity and respect.In fullAndy Burnham to abstain on assisted dying Bill ahead of Commons voteMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in