STORY
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will abstain when MPs vote on assisted dying legislation, explaining that he does not want his position to influence the parliamentary debate. The bill is expected to return to the House of Commons on 11 September, with MPs being given a free vote rather than being instructed by their political parties.
Burnham said the Government would remain neutral and implement whichever decision Parliament reached. He has also told ministers that they should avoid using their positions or media appearances to influence the outcome. The Prime Minister has previously argued that shortcomings in palliative care and social care must be addressed as part of the debate over assisted dying.
The legislation was initially introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater and approved by the Commons during the previous Parliament, but it did not complete all of its parliamentary stages before running out of time. A revised bill has subsequently been introduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards. MPs will again be permitted to vote according to their own judgement rather than along party lines.