Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that collective ministerial responsibility will be set aside for parliamentary votes on assisted dying, allowing government ministers to vote or abstain according to their individual conscience.
In a personal minute addressed to all government ministers dated 28 August 2026, the Prime Minister outlined the administration’s position following the reintroduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by Labour MP Lauren Edwards. The bill is due for a Commons second reading on 11 September.
Burnham wrote:
“This is an incredibly important and deeply personal issue, on which ministers will understandably hold different 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. That means ministers can vote, or abstain, however they wish.”
Strict neutrality at the despatch box
While individual MPs and ministers will hold free votes, the Prime Minister emphasised that the official government stance remains strictly neutral throughout the legislative process.
Ministers speaking from the despatch box or handling media inquiries have been instructed to reiterate the government’s neutral position and avoid using their departmental authority to influence the public debate.
The minute notes:
“Ministers do not need to resile from their previously stated view when directly asked about them and can correspond with constituents about their previous position. But they should avoid being part of the public debate, and should not express views about the implications of the Bill for their Department’s responsibilities.”
An exceptional arrangement
The Prime Minister stressed that the suspension of collective responsibility is an “exceptional arrangement” strictly limited to the debate surrounding assisted dying. Standard cabinet collective responsibility will continue across all other areas of government business.
Burnham also reassured Parliament that if the private member’s bill successfully passes both Houses, the administration will fulfil its duty to ensure the legislation is effectively implemented.
Calling for mutual respect as the bill returns to the House of Commons, he added:
“We will all bring different life experiences to this debate, and I know the decisions ministers come to will weigh heavily on them. As such, everyone must be given the space to arrive at their own view, and it is vital that those different views are treated with dignity and respect.”
