The government led by Andy Burnham is anticipated to remain neutral on the issue of assisted dying, even as a new legislative effort to legalize the practice was initiated this week. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards, aims to allow assisted death for terminally ill adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live, provided it is approved by medical and legal professionals.
This marks the second attempt to pass the bill, which originally faced a procedural hurdle in October 2024 and automatically lapsed at the end of the previous parliamentary session. Ms. Edwards successfully reintroduced the identical bill after securing a favorable position in a ballot for private members' legislation.
The political landscape surrounding the bill's passage may be influenced by the new prime minister's agenda. While former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, a known supporter of assisted dying, granted significant parliamentary time for the bill during his tenure, it remains uncertain if the current administration will adopt a similar stance. The new prime minister is reportedly focused on advancing his own legislative priorities.
Sources indicate that the Burnham government views assisted dying as a matter of conscience and is inclined to stay neutral. Some Labour MPs who oppose the measure have reportedly conveyed to Mr. Burnham's team that the issue could be a significant distraction, potentially diverting political capital from the government's core program. One perspective suggests the prime minister considers the topic a "a barnacle on the boat."
Andy Burnham himself has a complex history with the legislation. He abstained on a previous vote in 2015 but has since stated his support for assisted dying in principle. However, he has also emphasized that any legalization should be contingent upon the adequate funding and establishment of hospice care, noting that palliative care is not currently in a sufficiently strong position to support such a law change.
Further complicating the path for supporters is the potential role of Louise Haigh, a close ally of Mr. Burnham expected to take on a significant role. Ms. Haigh, who previously voted in favor of an assisted dying bill, has reportedly informed constituents that she would oppose any attempts to use the Parliament Acts to bypass the House of Lords and force the bill into law.
The bill is scheduled for debate in the House of Commons on September 11. If approved by MPs, it will proceed to the House of Lords. Ms. Edwards has suggested that the reintroduction of the bill is a matter of "unfinished business" and has not ruled out the possibility of using the Parliament Acts as a contingency measure.
However, concerns have been raised by some parliamentarians regarding the bill's unchanged nature. Labour MP Ashley Dalton criticized the reintroduction of the "exact same Bill with no meaningful changes," deeming it "unsafe and unworkable." Dalton, who has incurable breast cancer, stated that the bill fails to adequately protect vulnerable individuals and will likely lead to negative consequences.