Together we will change the law

Our impact 2020 - 2021

With a new Assisted Dying Bill entering the House of Lords for the first time since 2015, we've reflected on how far we’ve come.

This is a pivotal moment for the campaign, the culmination of all we’ve been working for. Your unwavering support and generosity has got us to this point – but in the lead up to changing the law we will need to think bigger, act faster and be bolder than ever before.

In the past 18 months, your generosity and commitment to the cause has radically accelerated the campaign’s progress. 

Since the start of 2020 we have transformed the debate for choice at the end of life.

We have moved the issue from the margins to the mainstream in Parliament and the media – bringing onside new politicians, news outlets and high-profile supporters.

We couldn't have done this without our supporters. Join today and help fight for a compassionate law on assisted dying.

In the April meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Choice at the End of Life, former Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock demonstrated his commitment to an informed debate by commissioning the Office of National Statistics to publish data on the impact of the blanket ban on dying people in the UK.

We have gained editorial support from The Sunday Times – among the most widely-read, prestigious newspapers in the country – which is now calling for a change in the law.

We launched our influential manifesto for law change, Last Rights: the case for assisted dying, and sent a copy to every Member of Parliament. This set assisted dying alongside other historical human rights reforms like equal marriage and reproductive rights.

“All those years ago, a Conservative Government could see that the law against suicide was unconscionable.  And we can see now that they were right.  Time for the next move forward.  Well past time actually.”
Daniel Finkelstein, Last Rights

Great British Bake Off star, Prue Leith, has been vocal in her support for the campaign, speaking out on Radio 4’s Today Programme over Christmas 2020 with the late Professor Sir Paul Cosford, Emeritus Medical Director of Public Health England.

MP opinion has shifted

Our grassroots lobbying programme has reached every MP and MSP in the UK - there isn’t a single elected parliamentarian who hasn’t heard from a Dignity in Dying supporter in the last year.

1,000 supporters have changed the minds of more than 100 MPs.

“I have had my meeting with my MP. I think she has shifted her position. She said she has attended events, received letters, and had meetings with constituents on assisted dying. She now said that if there was a vote, with all the safeguards in place, in Parliament that she would vote in favour.”
Jeanne, Dignity in Dying local volunteer

Online supporters have sent tens of thousands of emails to MPs across the country resulting in the best attendance to our parliamentary meetings that we’ve ever seen.

Key political players are speaking out.

Support among doctors has surged – and we’re not stopping there

Our lobbying group, Health Professionals for Assisted Dying’s membership has grown by 50%.

For too long the medical establishment has opposed assisted dying without listening to the opinions of the profession as a whole.” - Dr Jacky Davis

For too long the medical establishment has opposed assisted dying without listening to the opinions of the profession as a whole.” - Dr Jacky Davis

In the largest poll of doctors ever conducted – secured thanks to the leadership of Dr Jacky Davis – 50% of BMA members said they supported law change personally and 61% wanted the BMA to abandon its opposition to law change.

Scots elected the most pro-choice parliament ever

Our campaigners have ensured that every new MSP knows the depth of support among their constituents

Now Scotland could lead the way for assisted dying in the UK.

Ahead of the 2021 parliamentary election, Scottish Dignity in Dying supporters sent more than 60,000 emails to candidates to put assisted dying on the map as an election issue.

Tracy McNally has terminal cervical cancer and wants the choice to die on her own terms.

Tracy McNally has terminal cervical cancer and wants the choice to die on her own terms.

Eight brave campaigners spoke out about their experiences of heartbreak and trauma as a consequence of the current law.

A new Assisted Dying Bill has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament so we’re now campaigning for two bills in two parliaments.

A wave of change is moving across the world

Assisted dying is now available to 70 million Americans in 11 US jurisdictions.

South Australia and Tasmania have both legislated this year to allow assisted dying, with Victoria and Western Australia already offering choice at the end of life. A Bill has been introduced in Queensland, with New South Wales soon to follow. New Zealand will allow assisted dying later this year.

The Spanish and Portuguese Parliaments have recently legislated to allow choice at the end of life, while court judgments in Austria and Germany have struck down their respective blanket bans on assisted dying.

The Dying with Dignity Bill passed its first stage in Ireland. A Citizens’ Jury recommended that the States of Jersey introduce assisted dying on the island.

Change is happening all over the world. This will only help to build pressure on MPs to think again about our own outdated, uncompassionate laws.

This progress is no mean feat – and it’s all thanks to the generosity and commitment of our incredible members and supporters, like you.

But our current fundraising won’t be enough to pass this new bill. We’re so close.

Another opportunity like this might not arise again for years.

Our priorities to prepare us for the next stages of the bill are:

  • Shoring up support among MPs in the House of Commons - we need to know that when the bill is once more before MPs that a majority would vote for compassion.
  • Campaigning in the House of Lords, briefing Peers ahead of what promises to be a historic second reading debate later this year.
  • Maximising our impact in Scotland - making sure that the voices of dying Scots are heard and that MSPs see the strength of support as the Bill makes its way through Parliament.

This takes resource intensive, innovative and responsive campaigning - letter writing campaigns, social media and press work, cutting edge research, as well as our vital work in Parliament convincing even more MPs and MSPs to back a change in the law.

We can’t do this without you. You can see what you’ve achieved so far – you’ve got us to the home stretch.

The time is right.

Together we will change the law.

Join as a member today to take us over the finish line.

TopBuilt with Shorthand