There is a tendency to see the legalisation or physician assisted suicide (PAS) solely in terms of Individual rights and to Ignore the Impact of such a radical change in the law on society, including both the health care system and the community as a whole. Care Not Killing recently published an extensive review on this controversial issue. The CNK website is kept regularly updated with reviews, articles and news stories on the theme of promoting palliative care and opposing assisted suicide.

Action Points

1 Please write to the Prime Minister thanking him for his clear principled stand on assisted suicide and urging him not to aIlow the Coroners’ and Justice Bill to be amended to weaken the Iaw. Write to The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP 10 Downing Street London SWIA 2AA, United Kingdom. In addressing a letter to the Prime Minister, the correct salutation is ‘Dear Mr. Brown’ or ‘Dear Prime Minister’.

2. Please write to your own MP asking him or her to sign Brian Iddon MP’s EDM 589

‘Assisted Suicide and the Suicide Act 1961’. You can find out the name of your MP online or by phone at the House of Commons information Office on 020 7219 4272.  You can write to your MP at the House of Commons, London SW1A OAA or email them at www.writetothem.com (all you need is your postcode).

3. If you live in Scotland please write to your 8 MSPs (1 constituency and 7 regional). highlighting the reasons not to legalise assisted suicide and urging them not to support the End of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill. You can find out who your MSPs are online - Please also consider writing to Margo MacDonald and making similar points to her.  MSPs will also be influenced by the number of responses that she receives, both for and against her proposals.  A list of points to make is available on the CNK website Keep your letter to at most two sides of A4, be polite, courteous and direct, include a personal anecdote if possible and make up to three points. 

4. If you are able please support us in the ongoing campaign to promote palliative care and oppose the legislation of assisted suicide.  You can become a friend of Care Not Killing via our website. 

Many thanks for your ongoing support. 

Peter Saunders

Director

Care Not Killing Alliance