Legalising assisted dying: Please urge your MP to consider the implications for seriously ill children and young people
On 29 November 2024, MP’s voted to give the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill its second reading. If bill became law, it would give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their life.
Assisted dying is a deeply complex issue that raises profound ethical and moral questions. It also evokes strong emotions across all parts of society, especially among families, professionals, and those living with serious illness.
At Together for Short Lives, we do not have a single agreed view about the ethical or moral philosophical basis for assisted dying or assisted suicide. We represent those who support the general purpose, some who oppose it and some who are uncertain.
However, if assisted dying were to be legalised, there would be significant implications for seriously ill children, young people, their families, and the professionals who provide care and support. We have identified a number of areas where we think the bill could be improved.
Why your voice matters
On Tuesday 21 January, the Parliamentary committee that will propose and debate detailed amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will meet for the first time. We have drafted a series of amendments that we would like MPs on the committee to make to the bill.
If your local MP is on the committee, you can help to improve the bill for terminally ill young people and their families. Please write to your MP to ask them to table our amendments.
You can find out who the committee members are, and if they are one of your local MPs, here.
Take action: Write to your MP
As the bill progresses to this crucial stage, now is the time to make your voice heard. Please write to your MP, asking them to carefully consider the implications for seriously ill children and young people. They need to ensure that any legislation introduced includes appropriate safeguards, protects the best interests of children, and guarantees access to palliative care across the UK.
You can also send your views directly to the committee here.
Together, we can ensure that any laws passed take full account of the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society.