UK ministers free to vote as they wish on assisted dying bill — PM Burnham

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that UK ministers are free to follow their conscience on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which proposes to allow assisted dying in England and Wales. The government has suspended collective responsibility for this ethically charged debate, allowing Cabinet members to vote or abstain as they see fit.

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Ministers can vote, or abstain, however they wish.

In a personal minute circulated to ministers on Friday, Burnham stated that the decision followed the reintroduction of the bill. He described the legislation as "an incredibly important and deeply personal issue" on which ministers could hold differing views. "As is long-standing convention for such issues of conscience, I have set aside collective responsibility on the Bill and on the question of whether assisted dying should be permitted," he said.

Burnham emphasized that the government will remain neutral on both the principle of assisted dying and the bill's progress through Parliament. "The Government will remain neutral on the question of assisted dying and on the passage of the Bill," he confirmed. The government will, however, ensure that any law change approved by Parliament can be effectively implemented.

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As is long-standing convention for such issues of conscience, I have set aside collective responsibility on the Bill and on the question of whether assisted dying should be permitted.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that ministers would approach the issue with diverse life experiences and urged them to treat opposing viewpoints with dignity and respect. "We will all bring different life experiences to this debate, and I know the decisions Ministers come to will weigh heavily on them," he noted. He also instructed ministers to avoid using their government positions to influence the public debate, ensuring decisions were made without undue administrative influence.

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The Government will remain neutral on the question of assisted dying and on the passage of the Bill.

This move allows for a free vote, reflecting the deeply personal and often divisive nature of assisted dying legislation, while maintaining governmental neutrality on the core issue.

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We will all bring different life experiences to this debate, and I know the decisions Ministers come to will weigh heavily on them.