Assisted Suicide:The Slippery Slope
Key Updates
A year has passed since Kim Leadbeater MP introduced her Private Member’s Bill on assisted suicide to the House of Commons.
If this Bill is made law, it will open the door to a future where countless vulnerable people will feel that they are a burden to their families and to society and that they have no choice but to prematurely end their lives.
Twelve months on from the introduction of this Bill and it has largely faded from the news headlines and public awareness. But there are critical developments taking place right now that we must speak out on.
After the House of Commons voted in favour of the Bill on 20th June (314 stood in favour with 291 against), it has since proceeded to the House of Lords, where this Bill on assisted suicide can still be amended, and even rejected altogether.
We can’t let this opportunity slip away.
Premier is now submitting a petition urging members of the House of Lords to reject the Assisted Dying Bill.
At the start of November, we are sending an open letter on behalf of the Christian community, ensuring your voice is heard and giving maximum opportunity for this bill to be rejected.
You can read the open letter here.
You can also learn more about the Bill on assisted suicide here.
There is a short window of opportunity, and your support and your petition through Premier will ensure that YOUR voice is heard on this vital issue.
The media’s widespread failure to paint the full picture or to inform the public about the sobering implications of the bill for the future of our nation is deeply concerning.
Premier continues to be bold in it’s honest and truthful coverage of such issues.
As you make your financial gift today, you’ll help raise the volume of Premier’s Christian voice at this critical moment through…
- Maximising Premier’s social media reach, publishing articles from respected Christian thinkers, and petitioning key members of the House of Lords.
- Ensuring Premier remains strong and fully funded, as we look ahead to future battles against proposed new restrictions on the right to pray and teaching traditional Christian beliefs on relationships.
- Enabling Premier to counter the secular mainstream media narrative on Christianity and important topics like assisted suicide.
As God’s people, we can’t shy away from this issue and others like it. We must do all we can to ensure a future where the vulnerable and weak are cared for, not encouraged to end their lives. We must speak out and inform people about the dangerous implications of this Bill.
Thank you for all those who have signed the petition. It’s not too late to be part of this vital advocacy work – you can still make a gift to keep Premier’s Christian voice strong in the UK
Learn More
The Private Members Bill on assisted suicide was introduced on Wednesday 16th October 2024 by Kim Leadbeater MP. After the House of Commons voted in favour of the Bill on 20th June (314 stood in favour with 291 against), it has since proceeded to the House of Lords.
We’ve already seen vital safeguarding measures being rejected from its wording, and that’s just the beginning of what many have called the “slippery slope”.
Evidence from countries that have already adopted similar legislation shows where this slippery slope can lead. For example, in the Netherlands…
- Existing legislation allows assisted suicide for children aged 12 and above with parental consent. The government is moving towards expanding this access to children under the age of 12.
- Laws allow assisted suicide on the grounds of mental illness. In 2024, a 29-year-old woman was granted permission to end her life due to chronic depression.
- Over 6 per cent of deaths annually occur through assisted suicide.
Let’s pray against the legislation, pray for our government and all those involved in the legislative process, and pray for God’s mercy on our nation as we take our stand in Jesus’ name.
Premier’s Open Letter
Dear Member of the House of Lords,
A Slippery Slope: We urge you to reject the Assisted Dying Bill.
As Christians, we believe every human life holds inherent value and we are called to show compassion and care for the vulnerable. On this basis, we urge you to reject the Assisted Dying Bill.
Normalising Suicide: This Bill would permit the self-administration of lethal drugs, effectively normalising suicide. Every suicide is a tragedy; society affirms the value of all lives, and enabling physician- assisted suicide is something we should strive to prevent.
Lowering Standards: The Bill no longer contains the legal protections originally promised, as judicial oversight was removed in the Commons. Without legal safeguards, the elderly and vulnerable may feel pressured to end their lives to avoid being a burden. It is the House of Lords’ responsibility to reject unsafe legislation, especially when MPs have little confidence in it.
Slippery Slope: International evidence shows that legalising assisted suicide leads to a broadening of eligibility, including to those with depression or disabilities, and even to children, as seen in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The House of Lords has previously rejected similar legislation due to public safety concerns, and we urge you to do so again. As Christians, we believe every person is made in God’s image, giving life its dignity and worth. Life is not disposable, it is a blessing, and its burdens should be shared.
We urge you to reject the Bill and act with full confidence in your conscience.
This petition is now closed. Thank you for your interest and support - names are now being sent to the House of Lords. You can still read more about this campaign and support Premier’s work to keep advocating for the Christian community on causes like this in the future.