Write to your MP about the Assisted Suicide Bill
Labour MP Lauren Edwards is reviving the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill in the House of Commons via a Private Members’ Bill. The Bill, which would introduce assisted suicide in England and Wales, will be voted on at Second Reading on Friday 11 September.
What can you do?
At CARE, we are clear that every human being is made in God’s image and has intrinsic dignity and worth, regardless of their stage of life.
Based on the previous vote in the Commons on this Bill, we only need 12 MPs to switch their vote for it to be defeated. It is crucial that MPs hear the views of people who are opposed to this damaging and dangerous legislation, as its supporters have been very vocal.
We would deeply appreciate it if you felt able to write to your local MP with the following points, to be rephrased in your own words. You can find out how your MP voted here.
If your MP voted No:
Thank you for voting No last time, and standing up for the vulnerable and the voiceless. I really appreciate it.
This Bill is even more dangerous than last time, as there is a significant chance that it passes unamended, via the Parliament Acts. This would ignore the problems highlighted by the House of Lords during the last Bill, and ignores the various concerns raised by the royal colleges, disability charities, mental health charities, and eating disorder charities.
Please attend the chamber on Friday 11 September and vote No again. I know that attending on a Friday when you are typically in the constituency is a big ask, but this is important to me as one of your constituents. Given the numbers are so close, every vote counts.
Thank you for your hard work as our MP. I know that it is a challenging role, and I am thankful for your service.
If your MP voted Yes or did not record a vote:
Please don’t vote for this Bill: not this Bill, and not this way. We have many other priorities as a country, namely, sorting out our social care, palliative care, and NHS services. We need help to live before we get help to die.
This is the same Bill which was relentlessly criticized by professional medical bodies, hospices, medical professionals, academics, disability activists, and many more stakeholders. Their criticism remains unchanged: please heed their warnings and do not approve this Bill.
Furthermore, I understand that the “Parliament Acts” could be used to force the Bill through with minimal or no scrutiny. If you vote in favour, this provides a blank cheque with no guarantee of safeguards being improved, and sets a dangerous precedent for future governments.
You can find an email address for your MP here, or if writing to them in person, address your letter to House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. Do include your address when you write so they know you live in their constituency.
If you do get a response from your MP, please do email us to let us know what they said. It is hugely helpful for us to focus our work on those MPs whose vote could change.
