Ask your MP for a meeting
Enter your postcode below to request a meeting – it only takes 30 seconds. Your MP will then get back to you with some time slots, and you can choose the one that suits you best
How to meet with your MP on assisted suicide
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Once you have asked for your meeting,
see below for guidance on how to easily prepare for your meeting
video guide
Insider tips for meeting with your MP
Visiting your MP doesn’t have to be daunting. We’ll show you exactly how in this short video.
Madeline Page talks with Tom Hunt (former MP) and Rupert Evans (our Director of Public Affairs) – two experts who know what really influences MPs. They share easy tips and talking points to help you make a real difference when you meet your MP ahead of the crucial vote on Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill.
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it only takes 30 seconds to request a meeting with your MSP
Common questions including “Why should I meet with my MP?
This section outlines why you should meet with your MP and answers some frequently asked questions around MP meetings.
Why should I meet with my MP?
The bottom line is that there is a proven track record of MP meetings being successful in persuading MPs to vote a certain way – especially on important issues like assisted suicide.
In the Insider Tips for Meeting with Your MP video guide above, former MP, Tom Hunt, talks through how meetings with local constituents made a big difference in persuading him to vote a certain way on an issue.
We have spoken to a number of other MPs who have said the same thing. Constituents taking the time to go and visit an MP in person makes a significant difference in determining how they vote on an issue.
MPs generally have very busy schedules and are expected to deal with a wide range of topics. Having someone meet with them to talk about the assisted suicide Bill gives them time to properly focus on this issue – time they might not otherwise have to spend looking at the issues with the Bill. You’re helping them understand the key problems with the Bill, which they may not get a chance to do in their day-to-day work.
By visiting in person, you’re also showing that this issue matters deeply to you as a voter. It shows that it matters enough for you to make the effort to meet. Many issues cross an MP’s desk without any contact from local constituents – so they don’t get prioritised. By meeting your MP, you show clearly and memorably that opposing this Bill is something local voters care about and expect action on.
Former MP, Tom Hunt, makes it clear that meeting with your MP works: “Trust me, visiting your MP makes a difference. I can think of one occasion in particular when it really did for me. In my first year as an MP, I would get a lot of emails complaining about special needs provision in the area. All of a sudden, things escalated and I remember that for three weeks about 60% of constituents I was meeting at my surgeries were raising concerns about special needs provision. This had a real influence on me and led me to make special educational needs provision one of my top three priorities as the local MP. It was always clear to me that if a constituent requested a meeting with me, it meant they placed a particular degree of importance on a given topic. Letters and emails are, of course, of value, but meeting requests are a level above.”
Do I have to be an expert or have a personal story to visit my MP?
Not at all. You don’t need to be an expert or have a personal story to meet your MP.
The reason you’re qualified to do this is simple – you’re a local constituent. MPs are elected to represent you, and they want to hear your views on the decisions they’re making in Parliament.
Your meeting is your opportunity to talk through your key concerns with the Bill (we have a full guide below on how to prepare yourself to easily communicate these) and ask them directly and respectfully, as a local constituent, to vote to oppose the Leadbeater Bill at Third Reading.
What if I do have expertise or a personal story?
If you have specific expertise – for example as a medical professional, legal expert, carer or disability rights advocate – it’s really valuable to share that with your MP. Use your knowledge to explain why this Bill is so concerning, and why, based on that experience, you’re urging them to oppose it.
Likewise, if you have a personal story or experience that shows the risks or problems with introducing assisted suicide, this is your opportunity to tell that story and show your MP real-life examples of the negative impact that this Bill will have if it becomes law.
Is there any point in contacting my MP if they’re strongly supportive, strongly opposed, or usually don’t engage?
You may feel there is no point visiting your MP if they are very strongly supportive of assisted suicide, strongly opposed or haven’t replied to your emails in the past.
It’s incredibly important that you still visit your MP regardless of their past votes or statements on this issue.
If your MP supports assisted suicide:
Some of the most supportive pro-life MPs we have worked with over the years started as the most staunch opponents. Even if your MP is publicly appearing to be very pro-assisted suicide, you can never know what private doubts they might have.
Your meeting with that MP could be the deciding factor that convinces them to vote with us.
And even if they’re not quite ready to oppose the Bill outright, they might already be unsure about their pro-assisted suicide stance and choose to abstain rather than risk alienating constituents like you who have taken the time to meet with them.
If your MP never replies:
You may have an MP who you never hear back from after emailing.
First, please don’t think that this means that your emails make no difference. They do. We have spoken to MPs who have not replied to emails from constituents on this issue but said that correspondence from constituents impacted how they voted.
In regard to requesting a meeting, it’s important that you still go ahead with making that request. The worst that can happen is that they don’t reply but do still see that they have a motivated local constituent who cares enough about this issue to ask them to meet. Alternatively, this could be the request that cuts through to them and they decide to go ahead with a meeting, giving you an opportunity to directly engage with this MP and have a strong influence on how they vote at Third Reading on the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill.
If your MP is already onside:
You may have an MP who always votes against assisted suicide and wonder whether you still need to meet with them.
It’s still vital that you contact them and meet with them. For example, they may have a diary clash that you don’t know about and are currently not planning to attend, and a meeting with you may cause them to change their mind and attend the vote. We have seen this happen many times before.
Even if they are against assisted suicide and plan to attend, it’s so important that you still meet with them. This will ensure they clearly see they have a strong base of people in their constituency who support their position on this.
This will also help put this issue on the radar for them and encourage them to be more active in ensuring the Bill is defeated by actively speaking to colleagues who are wavering and taking other actions to help move more MPs to vote against this Bill. You may even find your arguments in the meeting equip them to speak more persuasively to other MPs and answer their questions!
Every meeting with an MP counts.
Don’t hesitate; go ahead with asking your MP for a meeting now. It only takes 30 seconds using our easy-to-use tool, which you can access by clicking here.
Doesn’t the extended implementation period for the Bill mean that this fight is over?
The end of Committee Stage coincided with news that the Government had forced Kim Leadbeater to commit to extending the implementation period for a potential law on assisted suicide to a maximum of four years, rather than two years.
Some of our supporters have been in contact to ask whether the extended implementation means that the Bill is not going to become law. It’s really important that all of you know that this is not the case.
We still face a battle, but a very winnable battle (as we cover further below), to defeat this Bill.
While this may mean that the implementation period will likely be longer, Kim Leadbeater is still pressing ahead with taking her Bill forward, and she can still pass her Bill into law, albeit with an extended implementation period.
Where this extended implementation period may help us defeat the Bill at Third Reading is that it is possible that assisted suicide will now continue to be an issue right up to the 2029 General Election. Most MPs are not going to want to be dealing with this issue running up to an election, so a scenario where the Bill is defeated at Third Reading will now be more appealing to wavering MPs who have previously supported the Bill.
So this development is likely a positive, but it’s really important that you know that this fight is not over. Leadbeater’s Bill can still become law.
Can this Bill be defeated at Third Reading?
With Committee Stage now over, the spotlight turns to the 650 MPs who will decide if this Bill becomes law.
How effectively we mobilise to meet with local MPs will play a huge part in determining whether this dangerous Bill is passed or defeated.
The margin at the last vote was 55, which means just 28 MPs switching their stance would be enough to ensure it fails at Third Reading.
Our team here have spoken to a number of MPs, who say, based on their conversations with other colleagues, that this is very much winnable. However, they have emphasised that it comes down, in a big part, to how much pressure MPs get from their constituents to vote the right way.
The only way this can happen is by you taking action.
Please go ahead with asking your MP for a meeting now.
It only takes 30 seconds using our easy-to-use tool, which you can access by clicking here.
take action now
it only takes 30 seconds to request a meeting with your MSP
MEETING WITH MY MP
Step-by-step guide
What to do before meeting with your MP
1. Ask for a meeting
Meeting your MP might feel a bit daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s something anyone can do.
This guide will walk you through each step so you feel ready and confident.
The first step in the process is sending an email to your MP requesting a meeting. We’ve made this really easy – our EasyAction tool lets you do it in just 30 seconds.
Click here to use the EasyAction tool to contact your MP to request a meeting now.
Once you’ve sent your request, your MP will reply with some available times. Just choose one that works best for you.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel fully ready yet – go ahead and request the meeting.
MPs are very busy, so getting your request in early is important. From there, you can use the rest of this guide to prepare before the meeting.
MPs get a lot of emails, so if you don’t hear back in a week, give their office a call to follow up. You can find their contact details by clicking here.
2. Prepare for the meeting
- Watch the introductory video guide
Start by watching our introductory video: Insider tips for meeting with your MP.
You can watch it by clicking here.
In the video, Madeline Page talks with Tom Hunt (former MP) and Rupert Evans (our Director of Public Affairs) – two experts who know what really influences MPs. They share easy tips and talking points to help you make a real difference when you meet your MP ahead of the crucial vote on Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide bill. - Read the MP briefing document
Next, if you are starting from scratch and don’t already have a specific area relating to assisted suicide in mind that you want to discuss with your MP, we recommend reading our MP briefing document on the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill that our Public Affairs team have prepared.
This has been drafted for you to use as a starting point for a meeting with your MP. It covers key points that are helpful to raise with your MP, along with supporting evidence.
It has been written so you can leave a copy with your MP and they can use it for further reading after your meeting.
We recommend printing off some copies of the briefing so you can give one to your MP and have one to refer to as you speak to them.
Click here to view a copy of the briefing document. - Prepare key points to cover
Remember that your time with your MP will be limited and that you don’t need to cover everything in your meeting with your MP.
Prepare to cover two or three key points that you want your MP to leave the meeting with.
Make sure that you are also ready to politely ask your MP how they intend to vote on the Bill at Third Reading. It’s also very important that if they say they are opposed but have said they can’t attend, you emphasise to them that the vote is likely to be very close and that it is vital that they turn up and vote at Third Reading.
When preparing the key points you plan to discuss with your MP, remember to use arguments that are likely to hold sway with the particular MP. For example on assisted suicide, many people will oppose the Bill on principle for very good reasons, such as faith-based arguments, but these may not be effective with MPs with a different worldview who have no ‘in principle’ objection, so using pragmatic arguments about the risks or costs of particular legislation or evidence-based/scientific research or statistics, may be more effective. So, use the arguments that will best reach your MP.
The above three points cover the basics for preparing for your meeting. Below are some other helpful points to consider:
- Find out where your MP stands on assisted suicide – It’s helpful to know where your MP stands on the issue ahead of the meeting so you can take this into account when speaking to them:
- You can easily find out how they have previously voted on assisted suicide on our Where Do They Stand voting record platform by clicking here.
- You can find any previous statements they have made on the issue by searching on Google for their name + assisted dying eg if your MP is Fleur Andrerson, you would search Fleur Anderson MP + assisted dying
- The wider issues with the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill – Our MP briefing document covers the main problems with the Bill. If you are looking to get a wider understanding of the many other issues with the Bill, we recommend checking out the dozens of articles we have published on our news service here. These articles cover a far wider range of issues that have surfaced as the Bill progressed.
- If you are looking for further detail, on our X (formerly Twitter) account, we have gone into much more depth on the problems with the Bill as it has progressed, especially with the live commentary that we produced during the Committee Stage of the Bill.
- Local dynamics – Consider any particular local dynamics that could be helpful to mention when discussing the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill with your MP. For example, is there a local hospice that you could champion as an alternative to assisted suicide? (if you are unsure, take a look at the Hospice UK search tool)? Given that this Bill will have a significant impact on the NHS, how is your local hospital performing?
- Personal stories – If you have a personal story or experience that shows the risks or problems with introducing assisted suicide, this is your opportunity to tell that story and show your MP real-life examples of the negative impact that this Bill will have if it becomes law. Think about your own experience. Perhaps you have lived experience of what it is like to have a terminal illness or to care for someone who is living with a terminal illness. Maybe a family member or friend is in this position. What would a change to the law mean for you, or for them, or for people you know who are in some way more vulnerable – perhaps due to frailty, their age, their capacity or a disability they may be living with?
- Specific expertise – If you have specific expertise – for example as a medical professional, legal expert or disability rights advocate – it’s really valuable to share that with your MP. Use your knowledge to explain why this Bill is so concerning, and why, based on that experience, you’re urging them to oppose it.
3. Attend the meeting
Before you go in, remember: MPs are just people – like you and me, so don’t feel overwhelmed.
They hold meetings with their constituents specifically so they can hear about what is important to local voters, and this issue is very much of importance to you.
If you still feel that meeting with your MP might be challenging, why not pair up with a friend or two and go together?
In addition, the following points are helpful to remember when you are meeting with your MP:
- Be positive – MPs speak to lots of people, and they often get messages that are complaints. From the start of your time with them, you want them to feel positive about meeting with you. Be polite, friendly, and positive. Even if you feel passionately about the issue, if you are rude or don’t listen, it will leave a negative impression that may subconsciously influence your MP. This is your chance to make a good impression and build a connection. Remember to smile!
- Focus on key points – Remember that your time with your MP will be limited and that you don’t need to cover everything in your meeting with your MP – so prioritise covering the two or three key points that you want your MP to leave the meeting with. As we have covered earlier, remember to use arguments that are likely to hold sway with the particular MP. For example on assisted suicide, many people will oppose the Bill on principle for very good reasons, such as faith-based arguments, but these may not be effective with MPs with a different worldview who have no ‘in principle’ objection, so using pragmatic arguments about the risks or costs of particular legislation or evidence-based/scientific research or statistics, may be more effective.
- Make it personal – Your strength may not be your expert knowledge of the subject, though well done if that is the case; rather, it is often the story you can tell. Your MP wants to hear from you and understand your story and your concerns.
- Inform – Although this is an issue you are passionate about, your MP might not know much about this topic. As straightforwardly as you can, clearly explain what you think the problems are.
- Ask your MP to oppose the Bill – Be really clear not just about your view on this issue, but about what you want your MP to do. In this case, politely but clearly ask your MP to vote against the Bill at Third Reading – and ask them how they intend to vote. If you are comfortable with sharing what they said with our team after the meeting, take a mental note of what they have said in terms of how they intend to vote. It’s also very important that if they say they are opposed to assisted suicide but have said they can’t attend, you emphasise to them that the vote is likely to be very close and that it is vital that they turn up and vote at Third Reading.
- Say thank you. – Even if your MP doesn’t agree with you on this issue, thank them for their time and their work as your local MP. Leave the door open for conversation to continue.
What to do after meeting with your MP
4. Send a follow-up message to your MP
After your meeting, if you have time, send a follow-up email or letter to your MP.
In it, thank them again for meeting with you. Restate your concerns and ask them once more to vote against the Bill at its Third Reading.
Doing this shows that you value your MP taking the time to meet them. It also helps reinforce that they have highly motivated constituents who are urging them to vote against the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill at Third Reading.
You should have their contact email address from the process of organising the meeting, but if for any reason you don’t, you can find their contact details here.
Below is a sample email that you can use as a starting point for writing the email or letter:
Dear <MP NAME>,
Thank you very much for meeting with me to talk about the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill.
I was grateful for the chance to share my concerns and explain why the Bill will harm many vulnerable people in our society if it becomes law.
<add any additional points that you want to reiterate either from your meeting or share any new information you think your MP should know.>
I also want to reiterate that I urge you to vote against the Bill at Third Reading.
Thank you again for your time.
<Your name>
5. Feedback - Share key details from your meeting
We’ve made it simple for you to let us know how it went and share key information from the meeting, including discussions you had about how your MP intends to vote. Our easy-to-use form should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Click here to fill in the easy-to-use form now.
Sharing this information is crucial. It gives our Public Affairs team the key information they need for their work in Parliament. With your input, they can do follow-up work that will build on the work you have done in meeting with your MP and ensure they are even more likely to oppose the Bill at Third Reading.
Please don’t delay – your response could make all the difference.
6. Encourage others to ask their MP for a meeting
To defeat the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill, we want to get as many people as possible to meet with their MP.
Please share this page with like-minded friends and family via email, over WhatsApp, or on social media – and encourage them to take action and meet their MP.
Free MP briefing document
We have created a briefing document to take with you when you visit your MP.
This briefing document on the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill has been prepared by our Public Affairs team. It covers key points that are helpful to raise with your MP, along with supporting evidence. It has been written so you can leave a copy with your MP and they can use it for further reading after your meeting. We recommend printing off some copies of the briefing so you can give one to your MP and have one to refer to as you speak to them.
Click the link below to download the briefing now.
take action now
it only takes 30 seconds to request a meeting with your MSP
“We all must do everything we can to make sure this dangerous Bill is stopped at Third Reading. Meeting with your MP is one of the most important things you can do right now. Take action. Ask for that meeting with your MP today.”
