Private Member's Bill Selected.

A new private member's bill on assisted suicide will be introduced in Parliament this month. The bill, sponsored by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, has been given priority for parliamentary time after Leadbeater was drawn first in the ballot.

1. October 16, 2024: The bill is scheduled to be formally introduced in Parliament for its First Reading.

2. November 29, 2024: The bill is set for its Second Reading, debate and vote in the House of Commons. This will be the first time MPs have debated and voted on an assisted dying bill since 2015.

Key points about the bill and process:

- Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Spen Valley, was drawn first in the Private Member's Bill ballot, prioritising her bill for parliamentary time.

The full details of the legislation have yet to be published, but they are expected to be released before the November 29th debate.

- This will be the first Commons debate on assisted dying in almost a decade.

- The government will remain neutral on the bill, giving ministers a free vote.

- If passed, the bill would only apply to England and Wales.

Call to Action

We urge all of our supporters to contact their MP to express their opposition to a change in the law and urge them to vote against it on November 29th. A template letter is listed below.

If you can visit your MP, make an appointment to see them and discuss the case in person.

We will keep you posted on other events as we develop our campaign.

Sample Letter

Dear [MP's Name],

As your constituent, I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed assisted suicide bill being introduced by Kim Leadbeater, MP.

While proponents claim the bill will include safeguards, evidence from countries that have legalised assisted suicide shows that initial restrictions are often later expanded. For example, Canada's eligibility has already broadened beyond the terminally ill.

I am particularly worried about the potential impact on disabled people and those with chronic conditions. Some fear legalising assisted suicide could lead to pressure on vulnerable individuals to end their lives prematurely.

Instead of rushing to pass this bill, I urge you to prioritise improving palliative care and support services. Many people still struggle to access adequate end-of-life care. We should ensure everyone has access to high-quality care and pain relief.

Please carefully consider the potential unintended consequences of this legislation. The current law, while imperfect, provides important protections. Any changes should be approached with extreme caution.

Thank you for considering this sensitive and complex issue. I look forward to hearing your views on the matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]