Burnham says he will not vote on assisted dying unlike Starmer
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced he will abstain from voting on the upcoming assisted dying bill to maintain government neutrality. This marks a departure from his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, who voted in favor of the bill previously.
Why it matters
The decision reflects the political sensitivity of assisted dying legislation and the role of leadership in managing conscience votes.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Andy Burnham has reminded MPs that all views must be respected
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has revealed he will not vote on the assisted dying bill for England and Wales unlike his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer.
MPs are likely to get the chance to debate and vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in two weeks' time.
The bill is identical to the one put to Parliament last year, where it passed in the House of Commons but stalled in the Lords after an unprecedented number of amendments meant it ran out of time .
Burnham said he has his "own personal views on the issue" but it was "a matter for Parliament to decide". Starmer voted in favour of the previous bill when he was PM but did not campaign in favour of it, remaining officially neutral.
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