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Ask UK politicians to oppose assisted suicide

The UK is facing two dangerous assisted suicide proposals:

We are deeply concerned about a change in the law in any part of the UK.

Our spokesman, Miro Griffiths, has warned: “Proponents of ‘assisted dying’ say that a UK law will be ‘safe’ – with none of the abuses seen in other countries. We reject this claim. ‘Assisted dying’ is inherently and unavoidably unsafe. There is no way to rule out abuses and mistakes, coercion, and people dying through pressures arising in society.

“Allowing this practice would give rise to profound injustices. Injustices that affect disabled people, people facing poverty, people who are isolated and lonely, and many others. No amount of legal drafting can rule out citizens choosing to end their lives because they lack sufficient support to go on living. This, in itself, should prevent a change in the law.

“We believe there is a better path for the UK than assisted suicide. This involves ensuring that those living with terminal illnesses have the support they need. Working towards a more accessible, inclusive, and participatory society for disabled people. And bolstering suicide prevention and mental health support. We urge UK politicians to take this approach.”

Why are we concerned?

There are many reasons to oppose state-assisted suicide. People’s approach to this issue is informed by their individual worldview, personal experience of illness and inequality, and professional experience in areas like health and social care. We’ve found that:

Disability groups fear a change in the law would:

  • Undermine the fight against inequalities disabled people face.
  • See pressure placed on disabled people to end their lives.
  • Cause heightened anxiety in the disabled people’s community.
  • Open the door to more permissive legislation in the future.

Palliative doctors worry that it would:

  • Inevitably result in abuses against seriously ill patients.
  • Impact doctors’ ability to support patients at the end of life.
  • Negatively affect recruitment to end-of-life medicine.
  • See hospices pressured to offer ‘assisted dying’ or lose funding.

And mental health experts worry it would:

  • Undermine society-wide efforts to prevent suicide.
  • Negatively impact the work of psychiatrists seeking to save lives.
  • Expose vulnerable and marginalised people to insolvable risks.
  • Compound existing inequalities in healthcare.

These are just some of the concerns expressed. There are many reasons to uphold our current, compassionate laws requiring doctors to care for, and never harm, patients. Our website offers perspectives from a range of people, some of which are listed below.

Disability expert: ‘Assisted dying’ can never be made safe

Sociologist: ‘Assisted dying’ is a threat to the marginalised

Dementia expert: ‘Assisted dying’ threatens vulnerable adults

Charity CEO: ‘Assisted dying’ threatens Scots battling addiction

Better Way report: Why politicians must not change the law

Write to politicians

It’s important that opponents of assisted suicide make our voices heard by writing to politicians, including MPs, Peers, and Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). Would you consider doing this? Here are some tips for contacting politicians about this important issue.

1. Find out who your representatives are

You can find out who your representatives are by visiting Write To Them.

2. Contact the right people about the right Bills

Everyone in the UK has an MP, who you can write to about the Commons Bill from Kim Leadbeater MP. You can also write to a Peer if you wish – instructions on doing that here. There’s an option to search by topic or ‘get a random Lord’.

If you live in Scotland, you have a constituency MSP and seven regional MSPs. The Write To Them site will identify who these people are, enable you to draft an email to you constituency MSP, and offer an option to ‘write to all your regional MSPs’ at the same time.

Make sure you focus on Liam McArthur’s assisted suicide Bill if you are writing to MSPs.

3. Make your points well

When emailing your representatives, make sure you mention that you are a constituent. You should try to make you email brief and raise a few key arguments against a change in the law. If you have relevant expertise – for example as a doctor, carer or lawyer – it’s worth mentioning this. Lived experience is also powerful. Are you concerned that this law would impact you personally? What experiences in your life make you opposed to the Bill?

4. Don’t be afraid to chase

If you send an email, you’ll probably receive an automated response. If you don’t get a response from a politician with a couple of weeks, be polite but persistent and follow up.

5. Speak up on social media

If you’ve gone to the trouble of emailing a politician about assisted suicide, why not share your views on social media too? By speaking out, we can stand in solidarity with those who would be most endangered by a change in the law, and help change the narrative on this issue.

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