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Assisted dying is dead. What next?

September 11, 2026 · 23 min

Show notes

MPs have voted against the assisted dying bill. The legislation was defeated by a margin of 16 votes, with 286 MPs in favour and 270 against, after 314 MPs backed the plan last year. It's a huge moment in the House of Commons.

  • Why did the support for it fall away?
  • How much of a difference did it make that Andy Burnham was not a supporter?
  • Does it mean the issue is off the table for the foreseeable future?
  • Where do we go from here? Does it galvanise the prime minister's mission to reform social care and palliative care?

Plus, Andy Burnham is turning left, trying to appeal to the voters that Keir Starmer lost to the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. Will it work? And are the odds of an early election narrowing?


Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times


Producer: Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness


Picture: Getty Images

Audio: Parliament TV

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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