Ask your MP for a meeting

1. 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 Miriam Cates (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 to make a real difference when you meet your MP ahead of the crucial vote on Lauren Edwards’ assisted suicide bill.
2. 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 new assisted suicide Bill that our Public Affairs team has 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 for further reading after your meeting.We recommend printing off two 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.

3. 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 them.Plan 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 Second 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 on Friday 11 September.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, evidence-based/scientific research or statistics, or the impact of the use of the Parliament Acts for future legislation on contentious subjects 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 currently stands on assisted suicide – It’s helpful to know where your MP has previously stood 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 e.g. if your MP is Fleur Anderson, you would search Fleur Anderson MP + assisted dying
• The wider issues with the new 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 previous and current Bill have 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 new and near-identical previous Bill.
• Local dynamics – Consider any particular local dynamics that could be helpful to mention when discussing the new 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 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 might 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, their mental health 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.

Before you go in, remember: MPs are just people – like you and me, so don’t feel overwhelmed.

MPs 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 polite and warm – 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 them – so prioritise covering the two or three key points that you want your MP to leave the meeting with. As we have explained earlier, remember to use arguments that are likely to hold sway with your 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 have thought much about this topic for some time. As straightforwardly as you can, clearly explain what you think the problems with the assisted suicide Bill 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 attend and vote against the Bill at Second Reading – and ask them how they intend to vote. If you are comfortable with sharing what they said with our team after the meeting, make 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 Second 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.

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 Second Reading.

Please don’t delay – your response could make all the difference.

To defeat the new 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.