Dignity in Dying Scotland – The NEN

New polling confirms that Scots are united together for dignity and choice

Support for law change on assisted dying in every constituency in Scotland

New constituency-level polling showing consistent, high levels of support for assisted dying published as dying people call on MSPs to make history and give terminally ill Scots the compassion, choice and safety they need, as they form a monument to dignity and choice.

Behind every dying person is a nation believing in choice. Ahead of the upcoming vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, MRP analysis of new polling confirms that every constituency and region in the country supports assisted dying, with support soaring to 80% in Moray and Argyll and Bute, and 87% in Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

The polling also shows strong support for law change in all five party leaders’ constituencies, including 77% support in John Swinney’s constituency of Perthshire North, 72% in Glasgow, Anas Sarwar’s region, 70% in Green co-leader Ross Greer and Conservative leader Russell Findlay’s region of West Scotland and 69% in Green co-leader Gillian Mackay’s region of Central Scotland.

This news comes as three terminally ill Scottish women will today stand on plinths erected outside the Scottish Parliament to form living statues to honour the people the current blanket ban on assisted dying affects most, and show them standing together, demonstrating that while we wait for MSPs’ final Stage 3 vote for the law to be set in stone, the will of the people in Scotland is unwavering.

This installation follows the historic Stage 1 vote on the assisted dying Bill in Holyrood last May, in which MSPs overwhelmingly voted to support the Bill’s principles. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would make the choice of assisted dying legal for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, alongside excellent end-of-life care.

Lorna Weir, Tish McEwan, and Lisa Fleming will be forming the installation and are each living with a terminal diagnosis:

Lisa Fleming, 42, is living with secondary, incurable breast cancer, and founded Edinburgh’s beloved House of Hope, a community-based support and wellbeing centre for women with the same disease. She said: “I fight every day of my life to live for longer. And today I’m standing before Parliament asking MSPs to grant people like me the right to choose when and how we decide that enough is enough, right at the end of our lives.

“There’s not a day that goes by without me thinking about dying, and it scares me. But it shouldn’t have to. My cancer has spread to every bone in my body. I know what pain is. 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.”

Tish McEwan, a 73-year old grandmother from Glenrothes was diagnosed with IPF, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, having spent much of her professional life as a traffic warden. She said: “I was diagnosed with IPF in 2021 and I became part of this whole new community of people going through terminal lung disease.

“Through them, I have seen what it can mean to die from this cruel condition, even with the best possible care, feeling like you’re suffocating, gasping for breath.

“The assisted dying bill is about dying well – but it’s also about living a full end of life; living well for as long as I can, knowing that at the end I’ll be able to make the choice that is right for me.

“That’s why I’m here today with other amazing campaigners to stand together for dignity and choice. I hope MSPs heed the calls from the terminally ill people they represent, and vote yes later this month.”

Lorna Weir, a 67-year-old grandmother from Dundee, is supporting the assisted dying Bill following her diagnosis with Pulmonary Fibrosis and lifelong commitment to tackling social injustice, especially in health. She said: “When you get a diagnosis like mine, there is a period of adjustment while you learn to live a new sort of life.

“My symptoms are currently manageable with oxygen and strong medications – ultimately, Pulmonary Fibrosis is a progressive disease. There will come a time, however, when my symptoms cannot be controlled and will likely be the cause of my death.

“I believe so strongly that what we leave behind when we die is memories. I want my family and friends to remember who I am now, and as I move forward in this new way of living, I do my best to make happy memories with them.

“I don’t want good memories tarnished with who I could become if I’m forced to suffer at the end without choice.”

Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, said: “Today we are honouring the lived experience of those who are watching the progress of the assisted dying Bill in the hope that, if it becomes law, they might be spared agonising fear and suffering as they consider the end of their lives.

“MSPs have a choice before them – to provide a safe, compassionate choice to dying people in their final days and weeks, or to double down on a status quo that leaves dying people in an impossible position – choosing between suffering against their wishes, scraping the money together to travel abroad for an assisted death, or taking matters into their own hands at home.

“This Bill was first introduced in 2021, and since then it has received public consultation, expert advice and robust parliamentary scrutiny, throughout which it has enjoyed overwhelming public support. Dying Scots felt such hope when MSPs decisively supported it at its Stage 1 vote last May.

“They are now asking that MSPs act for them now and deliver this historic reform for dying people later this month.”

Opinium conducted MRP analysis of Scottish Parliament boundaries based on a sample of 5,000 adults aged 18 and over in Scotland. Fieldwork was conducted between 30 January and 19 February 2026.

The sample was designed to be politically and nationally representative of the adult population. Results were weighted to reflect the demographic profile of Scotland’s adult population. Multilevel Regression and Post-stratification (MRP) was used to estimate public opinion at the constituency level.

Full data available: https://www.opinium.com/resource-center/dignity-in-dying-scotland-mrp/

Nat Cen British Social Attitudes Survey: 81% Scots back Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults

In the weeks before the final vote in the Scottish Parliament on Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, new findings from the British Social Attitudes Survey show that an overwhelming majority of Scots (81%) support assisted dying for terminally ill people.

The report notes that the public has long been in support of a change in the law, and that this support remains unchanged despite the intensive debate regarding the issue over the last year.

Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, said: “These findings are a powerful reminder that the Scottish public has long supported giving dying people the choice and control they desperately need, and that this support has not wavered despite intense scrutiny and debate.

“Without a change in the law terminally ill Scots facing a bad death are forced to contemplate a series of desperate decisions, from trying to go to Switzerland, stopping eating and drinking, taking matters into their own hands in lonely and often brutal ways, or suffering against their will. The most dangerous thing the Parliament can do here is nothing and allow this situation to persist.

“When MSPs voted in favour of Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying Bill at Stage 1 last year, they gave dying Scots and those who had watched a loved one suffer real hope that such suffering will be consigned to the past.

“It’s clear that the public expect the Scottish Parliament to deliver on this issue and pass the Bill next month.”

Emma Cooper, Convenor, Friends at the End (FATE) said: ““It is very clear that there is sustained, overwhelming public support from Scottish people for assisted dying to be introduced in Scotland.

“No one should have to endure a bad death because the law has failed to provide a compassionate choice.

“Too many people have suffered and seen loved ones suffer unnecessarily.

“MSPs should listen to the will of the people and pass this deeply considered and highly safeguarded legislation, rather than listening to misleading information perpetuated by a few loud and misrepresentative voices.”

The British Social Attitudes Survey 2025 is available from: https://natcen.ac.uk/

BSA_First_Look[1] (2)Download

“This is a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying Scots”

Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill clears first hurdle in Holyrood vote

The Scottish parliament has voted in favour of Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill. MSPs backed the Bill in a Holyrood vote last night. A majority of MSPs (70) supported the Bill, with 56 voting against.

This marks a significant shift in support since 2015, the last time a Bill on assisted dying came before the Parliament, and reflects the overwhelming public support for the introduction of the choice.

In-depth polling has shown that more than three-quarters of the Scottish public believe that the law should change, with majority support in every constituency in the country.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would make the choice of assisted dying legal for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, alongside excellent end-of-life care.

Last night’s vote brings safe and compassionate choice at the end of life closer than ever before for dying Scots, say jubilant campaigners.

Welcoming the result, Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland , said: “This is a watershed moment for compassion. MSPs have today taken a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people. The Scottish Parliament has listened to dying people and is reflecting their views.

“Many will be feeling overwhelming relief and gratitude that today our country has moved towards a safer and more compassionate law. So many people have stood up and spoken out about the harrowing suffering their loved ones endured as they died. While this is too late for them, it is now an enduring part of their legacy and testament to their courage in calling for change.

“Liam Mc Arthur MSP has been an incredible advocate for dignity and choice at the end of life. He has led this debate with respect, compassion and integrity, and will do so as the Bill progresses through the following stages.

“Significant though this moment is, in the months ahead we will join him in working with MSP colleagues on the amending stages to ensure that a new law is as robust as it can possibly be.

“Today, MSPs have voted for choice, safety and compassion. They have expressed the will of the majority of Scottish people and have made history. Now we must make the choice of assisted dying a reality.”

Holyrood to debate Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults bill today

This week parliament will debate and vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults bill (writes Labour Lothians list MSP FOYSOL CHOUDHURY).

In the run up to vote, I have endeavoured to engage with organisations both for and against the bill and hear the views of constituents.

After having considered my position, I will be voting against the bill.

The bill uses a broad definition of terminal illness which would include people with disabilities and those with years to live.

This has been raised by constituents and disabled people’s groups as sending the message that their lives are less valuable and opening them to potential coercion. These concerns are compounded by experiences in other jurisdictions, which have seen the law widened following legal challenges.

I am also concerned that assisted dying would place undue pressure on terminally ill people to end their lives as to not be a burden on their families, and do not believe proposed safeguards protect against this.

I understand some may be disappointed, this has been a difficult decision to make.

In any case, our priority should be ensuring every person can access palliative care, and those with terminal illnesses are well supported.

SUPPORTERS of law change on assisted dying from across Scotland have gathered outside the Scottish Parliament this morning in a powerful demonstration to show their support for Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill as it progresses through Parliament.

Organised by Dignity in Dying Scotland, the event will bring together individuals living with terminal illnesses, bereaved families, and supporters of end-of-life choice. The demonstration will feature placards, and speeches, to demonstrate the groundswell of support for law change in Scotland and symbolise the lives affected by the current lack of assisted dying legislation.

The demonstration takes place on the same day MSPs will be voting at Stage 1 on the Bill, which would give mentally competent, terminally ill adults the right to request assistance to end their lives, introducing oversight and regulation where none currently exists. Polling consistently shows overwhelming public support in Scotland for a change in the law, with 78% backing the proposal.

Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, said: “It is the voices of dying Scots and those who have watched a loved one endure a harrowing death that are at the centre of this bill. Their message to MSPs is clear – it’s time to deliver compassion, safety and choice for people facing a bad death.

“This demonstration is about showing the human cost of the suffering caused by the current blanket ban on assisted dying —a cost that is simply too much for dying people, and their family and friends to bear.

“This Stage 1 vote could be a milestone moment – putting comfort, choice and safety in place of pain and fear. We urge Parliament to listen to the voices of dying people and take this historic step.”

The demonstration will reassemble from 6pm to react to the outcome of the Stage 1 vote, expected around 7pm,

Dignity in Dying Scotland: Response to First Minister’s position on Assisted Dying Bill

Responding to the First Minister’s comments on Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland said: “I am disappointed that the First Minister will not be voting to progress Liam McArthur’s Bill.

“I know, and appreciate that he took the time to speak with dying people who are desperate for this choice, and to families who had watched someone suffer a painful death. I believe him when he says it was not an easy decision to reach.

“The sad truth is that if MSPs were to vote against extending safe and compassionate choice to dying Scots many more terminally ill people will suffer and the harm created by the blanket ban on assisted dying will persist.

“Doing nothing is the worst thing Parliament can do here. With people going to Switzerland, stopping eating and drinking and taking matters into their own hands its clear that assisted dying is happening in Scotland right now – but in unsafe, unregulated and unkind ways.

“I value the First Ministers comments that his vote is on a personal basis, and he does not seek to influence others decision on this.

“I am optimistic that Tuesday’s vote will bring a breakthrough for terminally ill Scots who are desperate for more choice. The mood of the Parliament seems to have caught up with the views of the vast majority of Scottish people – that it is time for a more compassionate and safe law.”

Strong support for Assisted Dying Bill, says Dignity in Dying Scotland poll

Biggest ever public poll in Scotland conducted on assisted dying confirms every single constituency supports law change
More than three-quarters of respondents (78%) said that they would support making it lawful for someone to seek assisted dying in Scotland, with just 15% against
Findings released as Liam McArthur MSP’s ‘Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill published in Scottish Parliament (28th March 2024)

The vast majority of constituents in every parliamentary constituency and region in Scotland support a change in the law on assisted dying, according to the largest and most in-depth public polling ever conducted on the issue. The results of the poll are released as Liam McArthur MSP publishes his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

The polling was carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of Dignity in Dying Scotland, and canvassed the views of more than 4,000 people across the country. 78% said they would support a change in the law to allow dying adults to access assisted dying.

The polling results were modelled for every constituency and region in Scotland. The highest levels of support are reported in Orkney (82%), Shetland (82%), North East Fife (80%), Banff and Buchan (80%), Moray, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and Inverness and Nairn (all 79%).

Every constituency has at least a two thirds majority in favour.

Constituents of the Party Leaders back Liam McArthur MSP’s Bill:

Humza Yousaf MSP, Glasgow Pollock, 67%

Douglas Ross MSP, Highland and Islands Region, 79%

Anas Sarwar MSP, Glasgow Region, 69%

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Edinburgh Western, 76%

Patrick Harvie MSP, Glasgow Region, 69%

Lorna Slater MSP, Lothian Region, 76%

Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland said: “As Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill is published in the Scottish Parliament, the message from constituents to their MSPs is strikingly clear – it is time to change the law and vote to give dying people the choice of safe and compassionate assisted dying.

“In every constituency and region in Scotland there is an unshakeable majority of support for an assisted dying law, with tight safeguards that would benefit and protect dying people and improve end-of-life care as a whole.

“That law is now within our reach. The Bill published today provides the compassion and choice dying people need and puts safety and protection in place where none currently exists.

“I’ve spoken to countless terminally ill people who are desperate for the peace of mind that this Bill would bring, and to so many who have watched someone they love endure a terrible death and don’t wish anyone else to suffer in a similar way.

“The publication of the Bill today gives them all hope that needless suffering can be consigned to the past. We call on MSPs not to stand in the way of their choice.”

Liam McArthur MSP said: “Currently in Scotland assisted dying is illegal, a situation that I believe is failing too many terminally ill Scots at the end of life.

“It is leaving them facing traumatic deaths that impact not just them, but those that they leave behind. We can and must do better. That is why I am publishing my bill on assisted dying, which is being introduced formally in the Scottish Parliament today.

“For many years, polling has consistently shown overwhelming support for assisted dying. I believe we are now seeing the necessary political support, across all parties, to deliver this long overdue reform.

“The provisions I am proposing would be robustly safeguarded to ensure the process works as intended. Similar laws have been safely and successfully introduced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States where they continue to enjoy strong public support.

“I hope that as they consider the provisions of the Bill, my colleagues will look at the evidence supporting a change in the law and the wishes of dying Scots and vote to give terminally ill adults the choice they need.”

In the Opinium polling, support for changing the law was consistently high across those who plan to vote SNP (84%), Conservative (72%), Labour (79%), Green (81%) and Liberal Democrat (78%).

The polling also found a strong majority for law change among religious people, with 75% of people who align themselves with Church of Scotland/England and 66% of those who state they are Catholic in favour.

In addition, the polling found that more than half of Scots (55%) would personally consider travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death if they were terminally ill, but 57% would not be able to afford it, with costs skyrocketing to £15,000 in the last five years.

Assisted dying bills are being considered in Jersey and the Isle of Man, an inquiry in Ireland has recently recommended law change, and a bill will be introduced in France this year.

Four hundred million people across Europe, North and South America and Australasia live in jurisdictions that have legalised or decriminalised assisted dying in some form.

Dignity in Dying Scotland: strong public support for Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults legislation

Today, Thursday 8th September, Liam McArthur MSP for Orkney will lodge a final proposal in the Scottish Parliament for his Members Bill ‘Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland)’.

The report analysing the responses to the public consultation on the bill’s proposals will also be published. The proposals received the highest number of responses to date for a consultation on a Members Bill in the Scottish Parliament with 14,038 valid consultation responses submitted.

The report’s findings show:

• A clear majority of respondents, 76%, were fully supportive of the proposal, with a further 2% partially supportive.

• Many respondents have first-hand experiences of witnessing family, friends and patients with a terminal illness who had experienced great pain and suffered what was often described as a “bad death”.

• Many supportive respondents believe the proposal is an improvement on previous attempts to legislate for assisted dying and are fully satisfied with the proposed criteria – that the right to an assisted death should be available for competent terminally ill adults with a clear and appropriate set of safeguards built in to every step of the process, together with a right for health professionals involved to conscientiously object.

Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland said: “The overwhelming majority of people in Scotland support a change in the law and now MSPs have the opportunity to respond to this unprecedented call for change and deliver a safe and compassionate new law.

“That so many people across the country have recounted their personal experience of watching a loved one suffer shows the current blanket ban on assisted dying does not work, instead it creates heartache and injustice for so many families. An injustice that can now be put right.”

“Taken alongside the responses from dying people who wish to have the choice of an assisted death available to them, as well as the evidence from other countries where they would already have this option, it is clear that the case for change is compelling.”

“Liam McArthur MSP today is lodging the Final Proposal for his Members Bill on Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults. I urge MSPs to sign these proposals so that Scotland can move forward progressively by providing our dying citizens with what they need – excellent care and the choice of an assisted death for those who need it.”