McArthur Expresses ‘Confidence’ in MSP Support for Assisted Dying Legislation

Liam McArthur, the Member of the Scottish Parliament advocating for the legalization of assisted dying in Scotland, expressed his “confidence” that fellow MSPs would support his proposed legislation, after a significant vote occurred in Westminster. Mr. McArthur, a Liberal Democrat, stated that the debate in the House of Commons had “shown the UK Parliament at its best,” as a bill aiming to legalize the practice in England and Wales successfully completed its initial stage on Friday. Members of the Scottish Parliament are anticipated to cast votes on comparable Scottish legislation during the upcoming year. Neil Gray, Scotland’s Health Secretary, had previously indicated that permitting assisted dying fell outside the legislative authority of Holyrood, although the government maintained a neutral stance on the subject. In March, McArthur introduced his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Should it be approved by MSPs, the bill would enable a patient to seek medical aid to conclude their life, provided they suffer from a terminal illness and have been deemed mentally competent to make such a choice by two medical practitioners. Eligibility criteria would require applicants to have resided in Scotland for a minimum of 12 months and to be registered with a general practitioner in Scotland. The legislation that advanced through its initial stage in the UK Parliament, following an intense discussion, was put forward by Kim Leadbeater, the Member of Parliament for Spen Valley. Throughout the debate, Members of Parliament listened to individual accounts of constituents who had succumbed to terminal illnesses experiencing severe pain – including the case of a man with bile duct cancer, who could not be sedated as he vomited faecal matter for hours before ultimately choking and dying. Those opposing the bill advocated for improved end-of-life care and contended that certain individuals would be “exposed to harm” if the legislation were enacted. In total, 29 Scottish MPs cast votes against the proposals, encompassing the entire Scottish Conservative group, whereas 17 voted in support. Eleven MPs abstained, including nine from the SNP, while Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Trade Minister Douglas Alexander were absent due to government duties. McArthur commented that the vote demonstrated “clear recognition that the present blanket ban on assisted dying does not work” and highlighted the necessity for greater choice in conjunction with palliative care. “It is important to note that this is not the end of the process. The bill will now get detailed consideration and everybody is going to have the opportunity to have their say,” he stated. He added, “However, it is clear that today’s vote reflects the wishes of the UK public, who overwhelmingly back a change in the law to offer choice and compassion.” McArthur further expressed, “I am confident that MSPs in the Scottish Parliament will do the same when they vote at Stage 1 on my Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.” Similar to Westminster, Scotland plans to conduct a free vote on assisted dying, signifying that MSPs will not receive directives from their respective parties on how to cast their ballots. Several politicians, such as former First Minister Humza Yousaf and Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, have signaled their intention to vote against the measure. Furthermore, opposition to the bill comes from the Church of Scotland, the Catholic Church in Scotland, and the Scottish Association of Mosques. Bishop John Keenan, who serves as the Bishop of Paisley and president of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, characterized the day as “sad” for the ill, vulnerable, and disabled members of society. He stated: “Today’s vote strikes a blow against the foundational principle of medicine ‘do no harm’. “Since parliamentarians have voted to create a category of people that the state will help to commit suicide, doctors will now be invited to help their patients to kill themselves.” Bishop Keenan additionally asserted that laws enacted globally have been “rapidly and dangerously expanded.” In the US state of Oregon, the laws have maintained their restriction to terminally ill adults since their implementation in 1997, although a residency stipulation has been removed. Conversely, Canada is frequently referenced as an instance of the so-called “slippery slope,” a jurisdiction where assisted dying has been broadened and made accessible to a wider demographic, including individuals with disabilities, since its inception in 2016.