The text of MP Kim Leadbeater's assisted suicide bill has been published. Shockingly, this has left MPs with just over two weeks to scrutinise this significant change to legislation before debating and voting on the bill on 29th November.

SPUC is currently analysing the text of the assisted suicide bill and is developing an in-depth briefing. We will be providing you with this briefing shortly. In the meantime, we have compiled the key takeaways from the text of this bill which you should be aware of.

What does the bill say?

According to the bill’s eligibility criteria, applicants must be terminally ill. 

• However, the definition of terminal illness that “cannot be reversed by treatment” could include non-terminal conditions such as diabetes and anorexia. Patients could potentially refuse treatment, therefore leading to a fatal outcome, meaning they might make themselves eligible for assisted suicide.
• While doctors are not obliged to raise the topic of assisted suicide, they are given free will to suggest it to a patient if they don’t raise it first.
• The right to total conscientious objection is not total under the bill. While a medical professional has no duty to participate directly in assisted suicide, they would be obliged to refer patients to willing practitioners.
• The bill is also silent on the right of institutions – for example, Catholic hospices – to object to assisted suicide provision and/or referrals.
• An obligatory review of the Act within five years of its passing also leaves the door open to the widening of the criteria.

How can I stop this?

We need a huge effort to lobby MPs before that date. Over half of MPs are new and have never voted on assisted suicide before.

Please contact your MP now, asking them to oppose Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide bill.

A tool is available on our website to help you do this. Enter your postcode to find out who your MP is, write your message, and press send.