MSPs to vote on assisted dying legislation

MSPs will vote on plans to legalise assisted dying this evening.  

The member’s bill tabled by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur would allow terminally ill adults to seek medical help to end their life.   

It is the third time assisted dying legislation has been put before members at Holyrood, with plans never having made it past the first legislative hurdle.   

With health secretary Neil Gray abstaining and parliament having 128 members following the death of Christina McKelvie, if all other MSPs take part in voting, the bill needs 63 votes to pass stage one, as the presiding officer would vote in favour in the event of a tie.  

First minister John Swinney will vote against the legislation, telling members of the media last week that it would “fundamentally alter the relationship between patients and clinicians” which would “undermine” the role of medical professionals.   

Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes have confirmed they will also vote against the legislation.   

It is expected that the debate will last over four hours, with the current Holyrood timetable indicating that the vote will be at 7pm.    

Speaking ahead of the debate, McArthur said: “This is an issue on which an overwhelming majority of people of Scotland believe a change in the law is required. Public polling is consistent across age range, political affiliation, disability status, geographic area and religious belief: Scots want to see dying people in this country given more choice at the end of life.  

“Drawing on international evidence, my bill would ensure people who meet the strict eligibility criteria are able to exercise that choice in a way that is robustly safeguarded.  

“Indeed, my bill would put in place safeguards that don’t currently exist, a situation that leaves many terminally ill people more vulnerable and more likely to take matters into their own hands. This shows that not taking action has serious consequences too, with more deaths that are painful and undignified, despite the best efforts of palliative care, and more traumatised families left behind.  

“Scotland cannot put off this conversation. And parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the ‘too difficult’ box.  It must, at the very least, allow time for amendments to be considered to see if a bill can be agreed that commands majority support and public confidence.”