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Burnham to Abstain on Assisted Dying Vote as PM Promises Hands-Off Approach

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will abstain from voting on assisted dying legislation on September 11 to avoid improperly swaying MPs on the contentious conscience issue.

Eleni Papadaki-Van Der Merwe Staff Writer

AUGUST 29, 2026 AT 9:45 AM

Andy Burnham confirmed in a letter to the Parliamentary Labour Party that he will remain on the sidelines during the September 11 vote on legalising assisted dying in England and Wales, as Dan McDonald reports in GB News.

The decision follows Burnham’s previous warnings that Britain’s palliative and social care systems require urgent reform before any consideration should be given to changing the law on assisted dying.

Free Vote for Labour MPs

In his letter to Labour colleagues, Burnham acknowledged holding personal views on the matter but emphasised that the decision ultimately rests with Parliament. He stated his government would implement whatever decision MPs reach, whether that involves changing the law or maintaining the status quo.

Burnham explained that abstaining represents the most appropriate course of action for someone in his position, allowing every MP to understand the vote is genuinely free from leadership pressure.

The Prime Minister has previously indicated his stance on assisted dying has evolved over time towards greater support for the principle, though he has consistently maintained that healthcare infrastructure must be strengthened first.

September Vote Looms

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) bill will face its second reading in the Commons on September 11, representing a pivotal moment in the long-running national debate over assisted dying.

By choosing not to vote, Burnham joins other senior political figures who have opted to step back from the issue to avoid accusations of using their office to influence the outcome on a matter of conscience.

The legislation has sparked intense debate across the political spectrum, with supporters arguing it offers dignity and choice to terminally ill patients while opponents raise concerns about safeguards and potential pressure on vulnerable individuals.

With information from GB News

Eleni Papadaki-Van Der Merwe

She was born in 1986 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is the granddaughter of an immigrant from Crete who settled in the Greek community of Johannesburg (one of the largest in Africa). She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg and a master’s degree in Journalism from Rhodes University in Grahamstown. She began her career at English-language media outlets in Johannesburg, covering politics and economics, with a focus on issues related to migration and the diaspora. She moved to Athens in 2015 to “return to her roots,” initially to pursue graduate studies, and has remained there permanently. She is married to an Afrikaner; they have two children and live in the southern suburbs of Athens.