Burnham's comments cast doubt on future of assisted dying legislation

Andy Burnham has thrown the future of legalising assisted dying into uncertainty. In an interview with Sam Coates, he said he does not want the legislation to move forward until social care and palliative care are “fixed”. Supporters of the bill insist they are pressing ahead, but the question remains whether the Prime Minister’s intervention has made its passage through Parliament far less likely.

Sam and Anne examine what Burnham’s comments mean for MPs ahead of the crucial vote in September. Additionally, new polling from POLITICO shows the ‘Burnham bounce’ continues, with his approval rating rising in every demographic except one – Reform voters. The long-term implications of this are unclear. Before taking a summer break, Sam and Anne also share their assessment of Burnham’s first two weeks in his new role.