MSPs have voted down assisted dying legislation for the third time in two decades, with 69 voting against and 57 in favour in an emotionally charged debate at Holyrood
Proposals to legalise assisted dying in Scotland have been dismissed by MSPs following a heated debate at Holyrood.
The defeat is a harsh setback for campaigners who have long advocated for terminally ill Scots to be granted the right to seek medical help to end their lives.
69 MSPs voted against the proposals, with 57 supporting them. Health Secretary Neil Gray abstained.
This marks the third occasion in the past two decades that legislation to legalise assisted dying has been rejected by the Scottish Parliament.
Liam McArthur, the Lib Dem MSP leading the latest push to amend the law, maintained that the issue “would not go away”, reports the Daily Record.
In a compelling speech, he implored Parliament to follow the lead of Australia and New Zealand where similar laws have long been established.
“I don’t underestimate how difficult a decision this is for colleagues,” he said. “But we must recognise that not passing this Bill has consequences.
“The issue won’t go away. Indeed numbers affected will only rise. All we do but putting off changing the law is push decisions overseas and behind closed doors.”
Addressing worries that assisted dying would compromise the relationship between patients and doctors, he added: “I can already choose to refuse treatment whenever I wish, even if that treatment would save my life.
“I can legally choose to hasten my death by voluntarily stopping eating and drinking – literally starving myself my death.
“Doctors can already administer doses of morphine, and other palliative medicines, that would hasten my death, as long as their motive is to alleviate my pain.
“Legalising assisted dying would not change my relationship to my doctor – it would allow me to be open and honest about what I want and ensure I wouldn’t be forced to suffer against my wishes.
“I fight every day to live a little longer. But every day I have, contains fear over how I will die. If I knew I had the choice of an assisted death at the end, I could live the rest of my life without that fear.”
MSPs had previously backed the Bill when it received its first reading last year – but the legislation was defeated at its final stage tonight after several politicians reversed their position.
SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn expressed “lingering concerns” about the law as he revealed his opposition – and lamented the fact some “important amendments” to it did not pass last week.
Independent MSP Jeremy Balfour, who has a physical disability, told Parliament that disabled people were “frightened” by the assisted dying Bill and urged colleagues to reject it.
“Colleagues, friends, I am begging you to consider what the consequences of passing this bill will be for the most vulnerable in our communities,” he said.
Independent MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, who became the first permanent wheelchair user elected to Holyrood, argued the Bill would “put sick and disabled people at risk”. She told MSPs that at times she had been “broken by how hard it is to get the help I need”.
Duncan-Glancy added: “When I have the support I need, when I am not fighting, I and people like me can live well. We can thrive.
“That is what this Parliament is for, we are here to legislate to empower everyone in this wonderful country to live well, including at the end.”
SNP MSP George Adam implored his fellow parliamentarians to back the proposals and spoke about his wife, Stacey, as an example.
Mrs Adam, who was observing proceedings from the Holyrood gallery, lives with multiple sclerosis and the MSP referenced her favourite tune, Smile by Nat King Cole, which he says has become her “anthem”.
He said: “When Stacey talks about that song, she is not talking about the end of life. She is talking about living it every day she possibly can.
“But she also said that if the worst should ever come to her, if she was ever facing that unbearable suffering at the end of life, she would want a choice.
“Stacey says smile though your heart is aching, and that is how so many people live their lives with courage, with resilience and the love for the people around them.
“But every life, no matter how rich, its soundtrack eventually reaches its final chapter.
“When that moment comes the question before us today is simple: should those final notes be written only by illness and suffering, or should compassion, dignity and choice have a voice as well?” Former first minister Humza Yousaf, delivering one of his final contributions as an MSP before stepping down, declared: “Tonight I simply say this: if you are not absolutely certain that this Bill can protect those most at risk, then do not pass it.”
The rejection of the legislation represents the final major vote of the Scottish Parliament before it breaks up next week ahead of May’s Holyrood election.
It’s probable that at least one party will pledge to bring forward fresh assisted dying legislation at Holyrood down the line.
Two territories within the British Isles – the Isle of Man and Jersey – have already approved similar laws to legalise assisted dying.
Proposals to do likewise in England are currently stalled in the House of Lords.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “As this was a Member’s Bill, the Scottish Government maintained a neutral position throughout, whilst providing detailed technical, legal and financial commentary to ensure the Bill would be workable in practice if passed, and working with the UK Government in relation to legislative competency issues.
“The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland who needs it can access well-coordinated, compassionate and high-quality palliative and end of life care.”
