Tag: Dignity in Dying

“For as long as dying people suffer, this issue is not going away.”

More MSPs than ever before vote to give terminally ill people choice – but falling short of majority

57 MSPs voted in support of Liam McArthur MSP’s landmark assisted dying Bill last night, Tuesday 17th March, but unfortunately this was not enough for the Bill to proceed to an Act despite overwhelming public support for reform.

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

57 MSPs voted for the Bill to pass with 69 voting against and one abstaining. 

This means that the significant harms caused by the current law remain unresolved. Currently, even with the best palliative care, 11 Scots a week suffer as they die. Every year across the UK, 650 terminally ill people take their own lives, while others make long and arduous journeys to Switzerland, all without any protections in place.

Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, said: “I am so deeply sad that the dying people who want this choice have been dealt this blow. But for as long as dying Scots continue to suffer, this debate is not going away.

“There is now near universal recognition that the current law is harmful to dying people. Those who voted against the Bill have done nothing to stop people with terminal illness from choosing to end their lives.

“They have instead blocked the safeguards and protections this Bill would have established for those who are already making this choice. Theirs was a vote against safety and compassion, not for it.

“I know that so many people will join me in finding this outcome  deeply disappointing, but it’s important to recognise that more MSPs than ever before voted to give dying people choice at the end of life. I want to thank each of them for their efforts to end the harmful status quo. 

“I also wish to thank Liam McArthur MSP who has been an incredible advocate for dignity and choice at the end of life. He has led this debate with respect, compassion and integrity.

“At the last vote, in 2015, MSPs voted by a margin on greater than three to one against changing the law. Today saw a major shift in Parliamentary opinion that gives us real hope for the future. All the signs are there that, slowly but surely, the Scottish Parliament is catching up to public opinion on assisted dying.

“Thousands of people all over the country have been campaigning for this change, and that work will not stop. Today’s result only stiffens our resolve to keep fighting for a safer and more compassionate law.”

Norma Rivers, from Ayr, who is living with terminal blood cancer, said: “For people like me living with terminal illness, today’s result is incredibly difficult to hear. But knowing that Parliament came so close to changing the law gives me hope.

“I want to live for as long as possible, but I also want the reassurance that I will have dignity and choice at the end of my life. I hope and trust that MSPs will come back to this issue very soon.”

Emma Cooper, Convener of Friends at the End (FATE), said: “We are extremely disappointed to see that MSPs did not reflect the views of the people they represent in the Assisted Dying Bill (Scotland) today. The overwhelming majority of people in every single constituency across Scotland clearly communicated they wanted assisted dying.

“It is hard to understand given the testimony we heard today from terminally ill adults and their loved ones who have too often witnessed frankly horrible deaths.

“The debate has sadly been plagued by misinformation and fears overriding facts. This was not a choice between living or dying, it was simply a question of how. This is not an issue that is going to go away and the fact remains that the status quo lacks compassion.

“End-of-life decisions that hasten death already happen in the NHS every single day, and they do not take place within a transparent framework or with consistent safeguards. Scottish people are going to continue to suffer unnecessarily at the end of life

“Thank you to our partners and Liam McArthur.”

Right to Life: Major victory for the most vulnerable in our society

Liam McArthur’s assisted suicide Bill has been defeated in a major victory for opponents of the Bill by 69 votes to 57, settling the issue in Scotland for a generation after a two-year national debate, and likely striking a mortal blow to the assisted suicide Bill in Westminster. 

After two years of debate, and the most intense scrutiny that the question of assisted suicide has ever received in Scotland, Holyrood, widely regarded as one of the world’s most socially and politically progressive legislatures, has come to the conclusion that introducing assisted suicide is unsafe and dangerous.

Ahead of the vote, the Deputy Political Editor of The Scotsman, David Bol, described the final vote on the Bill at Stage 3 tonight as “potentially the biggest decision in the history of the Scottish Parliament”, and this was echoed by other prominent political commentators.

The Bill was defeated at its decisive stage, with the leader of the SNP, Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Russell Findlay, all uniting in their opposition to the proposals. They were joined by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and former First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf.

Polling shows public supportive of rejection of assisted suicide Bill

The defeat of Scotland’s assisted suicide Bill is consistent with polling published this week that showed the Scottish public had major concerns with legalising assisted suicide and the negative impact that it would have on the most vulnerable in Scotland. 

Polling commissioned by women’s policy think tank, The Other Half, found that seven in 10 Scots were concerned that victims of domestic abuse could feel pressured into ending their lives if assisted dying is legalised.

After eating disorder campaigners warned that people with eating disorders would be eligible for assisted suicide under the Bill, the think tank published polling that found that only one in five Scots would support legislation that allowed patients with anorexia to end their lives by assisted suicide. 

Polling commissioned by disability advocacy group Not Dead Yet UK revealed that 69% of Scottish adults agreed that the Scottish Parliament should prioritise improving access to care for people with disabilities before an assisted suicide Bill would be introduced. Only 18% of Scots disagreed.

For respondents who had a disability, the percentage who agreed that access to care should be improved before an assisted suicide Bill is made law rose to 72%.

Dozens of major medical bodies and organisations came out against the Bill

Dozens of major medical bodies and organisations representing the most vulnerable in Scottish society have come out in opposition to the Bill.

This has included the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, the Association of Palliative Medicine, Social Work Scotland, the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers, the Scottish Association of Social Work, and the British Islamic Medical Association.

They have been joined by groups representing tens of thousands of people in Scotland including, a coalition of major disability groups, such as Inclusion Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Our Duty of Care, People First, Self Directed Support Scotland, Disabled People Against Cuts, Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity, LegaCare, We Thrive and Down’s Syndrome Research Foundation, who have all come out in opposition to the Bill. 

Renewed focus on palliative care

Having settled this debate, MSPs must now unite to focus on renewed efforts to promote and improve palliative care.

A large number of MSPs from across the political spectrum came together to give powerful speeches against the Bill during today’s debate. They made it clear that this dangerous and extreme change to our laws would have put the vulnerable at risk and seen the ending of many vulnerable lives through assisted suicide.

Tonight’s result represents a major headache for Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill in Westminster. 

Back in October 2024, the Welsh Senedd also rejected the principle of assisted suicide. 

Moreover, to legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales when it has been rejected in Scotland, where the issue is devolved, would create constitutional and practical challenges. 

Among the potential consequences are the uncertainty faced by Scottish students who spend half the year studying at universities in England, and the complications for residents who divide their time between a primary home in Scotland and a second property south of the border.

Alisdair Hungerford-Morgan, Chief Executive of Right To Life UK, a charity that opposes the introduction of assisted suicide and euthanasia, and campaigns instead for greater investment in palliative care, said: “This is a great victory for the most vulnerable in our society.

“They deserve protection and care, not a pathway to suicide. If this legislation had passed, countless vulnerable people would have been pressured or coerced into ending their lives.

“A large number of MSPs from across the political spectrum came together today to recognise the dangers this Bill posed and have rightly rejected it.

“The question of assisted suicide has dominated the five-year term of the current Scottish Parliament. The issue is now settled for a generation.

“But as this debate ends, today marks the beginning of a new conversation. It is vital that after the Holyrood elections in May, MSPs come together to redouble their efforts to invest in universal access to high-quality palliative care.

“Holyrood has today sent a decisive message to Westminster by rejecting assisted suicide. The Westminster Bill is already on life support as Peers continue to address its multiple flaws and unanswered questions.

“Rather than ploughing on with their dangerous Bill, the Bill sponsors in Westminster must now follow Scotland’s example and accept that assisted suicide is not the answer. It cannot be introduced safely”.

Holyrood rejects Assisted Dying Bill

MSPs vote down right to choose legislation

The result of the Stage 3 vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is:

Yes – 57

No – 69

Abstain – 1

The Bill therefore falls.

Campaign group Dignity in Dying said late last night: “Moments ago, the Scottish Parliament voted against Liam McArthur MSP’s assisted dying Bill, by 69 to 57 with one abstention.

“This means that the Bill will fall and we will have to keep fighting for law change in Scotland.

“We pay tribute to Liam McArthur MSP for acting with integrity and determination, and to the thousands of supporters who have been fighting hard for choice, especially the many terminally ill people and their loved ones who have spoken courageously about their experiences.

“The fight is not over. Thousands of people all over the country have been campaigning for this change, and that work will not stop. Today’s result only hardens our resolve to keep fighting for a safer and more compassionate law.”

@dignityindying

Ash Regan MSP said: “The Assisted Dying Bill has fallen – but this debate must leave a legacy from session 6. We urgently need fully funded, high-quality palliative care for everyone, when they need it.

“We must ensure that those with disabilities are supported with necessary accommodations to fully access public life and be secure at home. Invest in research. Listen to experts.

“Free votes strengthen Parliament. And once again, the limits of devolution for legislation that straddles devolved and reserved matters are laid bare. We must learn and do better for the people of Scotland.”

Foysol Choudhury said: “Yesterday in Parliament, I voted against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

“The issue of assisted dying raises a lot of emotions and as you can imagine, this was a very difficult decision to make.

“I would like to express my sympathy to Liam McArthur MSP who I know worked tirelessly and with great determination on this proposed Bill.

“Thank you to the many hundreds of constituents who have written to me over the years regarding this Bill, and who have shared their thoughts, concerns and personal experiences.

“Since my election in 2021, I have engaged extensively with many of you, as well as with organisations, doctors, nurses, lawyers, pharmacists, academics, on this important issue.

“While I have carefully listened to all sides of the debate, I ultimately voted against the Bill due to my serious concerns about safeguards and undue pressure on terminally ill people to end their lives as to not burden their families.

“The risk of coercion – particularly for vulnerable groups, including disabled people – is extremely difficult to detect. Many constituents and disability organisations have highlighted fears that the Bill could unintentionally devalue their lives.

“At Stage 3, I remained unconvinced that the Bill could fully guarantee protection against these risks. In my view, it still contains significant flaws and weaknesses.

“I strongly believe we must prioritise a robust healthcare system that delivers world-class, compassionate, and accessible palliative care for all.

“I do not believe that the answer to suffering lies in prematurely ending life. Every life has inherent value, and we must show our future generations that life is precious, must be protected and cared for in the best way possible.”

MSPs unite to support Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying Bill

MSP’s hold pictures of deceased constituents in support of the Dignity In Dying charity in the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. 12 March 2026.

A group of cross party MSPs united yesterday to support Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill ahead of its final vote on Tuesday 17th March.

The MSPs have issued a letter to their Parliamentary colleagues urging them to keep the voices and experiences of those most affected by this issue front of mind and to vote in favour of Bill. 

The MSPs joined a photocall in support of the Bill carrying photos of terminally ill Scots and those who died a bad death and wished for the law to change.

In the letter they say that:

“On many issues that come before us in Parliament we differ in opinion, but when it comes to extending compassion and safety to dying people we are united in our support for dignity and choice.

‘Over the last few years, we have each heard from constituents across Scotland about the heavy toll the ban on assisted dying has taken on them and the urgent need for the law to change.

‘We have heard from a mother who watched her son beg to die when the pain caused by his endocrine cancer became too much to bear, from a daughter who watched her mum starve and dehydrate to death over the course of 18 long days when she reached the limit of MND, from a widow who returned home to Scotland alone after accompanying her dying husband to Switzerland to face a police interview, from dying people considering how best to take matters into their own hands should their suffering become unbearable and many more people with terminal illness consumed by the fear of a protracted and painful death.

‘While all the experiences they shared were different in nature, there was one constant – that in each and every case a safe and compassionate assisted dying law would have lessened their pain and made both living with a terminal diagnosis and loss that bit more bearable.

‘In every constituency there are stories like these – real people enduring real suffering. In every single constituency the voting public support changing the law on assisted dying.

‘The Bill that is in front of us has been through rigorous scrutiny, is robustly evidenced and puts in place a range of protections that simply do not exist at the moment. It will make assisted dying the most safeguarded end of life option. 300 million people around the world already have access to some form of assisted dying. There is no evidence of abuse of these laws and extensive evidence to show that they address the failings created by a blanket ban on assisted dying.

‘The current situation can not continue – it is demonstrably cruel, dangerous and ineffective. It denies dying people choice and fails to protect anyone. By contrast Liam McArthur MSP’s Bill will create new protections for people at end of life and offers this Parliament the opportunity to put in place a safe, regulated framework that will work alongside palliative care to provide choice and compassion when people need it most.

‘This issue is not going away, banning assisted dying does not stop assisted dying, it merely drives it overseas, underground and behind closed doors. As such, voting against this bill has serious consequences, leaving dying Scots more at risk, isolated and vulnerable.

”We urge you to keep the voices and experiences of those most affected by this issue front of mind and to vote in favour of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Scotland Bill on the 17th March.”

The letter has been signed by MSPs from each of the main political parties represented in Parliament. Signatories include:

George Adam MSP, Karen Adam MSP, Jackson Carlaw MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Jackie Dunbar MSP, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Rachael Hamilton MSP, Patrick Harvie MSP, Monica Lennon MSP, Richard Lochhead MSP, Douglas Lumsden MSP, Rona Mackay MSP, Paul McLennan MSP, Carol Mochan MSP, Lorna Slater MSP, David Torrance MSP, Evelyn Tweed MSP, Elena Whitham MSP.

Maggie Chapman MSP, Gordon MacDonald MSP and Gillian Mackay MSP joined the photocall.

Holyrood Committee makes no recommendation on the general principles of the Assisted Dying Bill

A Scottish Parliament Committee has decided to make no recommendation on the general principles of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee say the vote is a matter of conscience for each individual MSP.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Member’s Bill introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Liam McArthur MSP on 27 March 2024.

The Committee has highlighted a number of areas which it says will require further consideration at Stage 2, should MSPs vote to approve the Bill at Stage 1.

Concerning those rights set out in the European Convention of Human Rights that may be affected by the Bill, the Committee notes that individual MSPs will need to consider a number of ‘important factors’ before deciding how to vote at Stage 1.

These include the extent to which the Bill strikes an appropriate balance between providing a right for terminally ill adults to access assisted dying and the requirement to protect vulnerable groups; and the likelihood that the Bill may be subject to a human rights based legal challenge that could result in eligibility for assisted dying being extended over time.

Should the Bill progress to Stage 2, the Committee says that creating an independent oversight mechanism or assigning responsibility to the Chief Medical Officer for monitoring its implementation could help to strengthen safeguards in the Bill and its compliance with human rights requirements.

The Committee concludes that the requirements that individuals must be at least 16 years of age and must have been ordinarily resident in Scotland for at least 12 months prior to making a request for assisted dying may require ‘further clarification’ should the Bill progress to Stage 2.

The Committee acknowledges that the definition of terminal illness in the Bill does not include a life expectancy timescale and that this would mean widening eligibility for assisted dying to include individuals who, although living with an illness or condition that is progressive and untreatable, may not be approaching death for a considerable period of time.

However, it also recognises that life expectancy can be very difficult to predict and that determining whether an individual does or does not meet the eligibility criterion of being terminally ill is ultimately better left to clinical judgement.

The Committee has also concluded that the issue of conscientious objection for healthcare workers will require further attention should the Bill progress to Stage 2, to ensure the relevant provisions of the Bill provide an appropriate level of legal clarity and certainty for all parties involved in the assisted dying process.

Concerns from those opposed to the Bill around the issue of coercion are highlighted in the report and the Committee welcomes Liam McArthur’s commitment to look at reviewing and updating guidance on coercion should the Bill be approved at Stage 1. The Committee emphasises the importance of comprehensive guidance to ensure health practitioners can assess coercion effectively and to allow the related offence created by the Bill to be appropriately policed.

The Committee’s report notes a number of competence-related issues involved with practical implementation of the Bill, were it to become law, which have also been recognised by Mr McArthur. Should the Bill progress beyond Stage 1, the Committee welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment to open dialogue with the UK Government in order to resolve these matters, to enable the Bill to take full legal effect.

Speaking on publication of the report, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “Our Committee understands the strength of feeling about this Bill and that assisted dying is a complex and sensitive issue.

“We have considered this Bill and the issues related to it in great detail, hearing views from a variety of individuals and organisations, and from those both for and against assisted dying. Ultimately, our Committee believes the Stage 1 vote is a matter of conscience for each individual MSP and as a result has made no overall recommendation as to how they should vote on the general principles of the Bill.

“However, should the Bill progress to Stage 2, we have highlighted a number of areas which we feel will require further consideration before the Bill can become law. These include issues around human rights, coercion, eligibility criteria, provision of assistance, self-administration and conscientious objection for healthcare workers.

“We also recognise that there are particular complexities associated with those aspects of the Bill which extend beyond the limits of the powers currently devolved to the Scottish Parliament. If the Parliament approves the Bill at Stage 1, there will need to be an open and constructive dialogue between the Scottish and UK Governments to resolve these issues and to allow the Bill to take full legal effect.

The Convener added: “I’d like to thank all of the individuals and organisations who provided evidence to our Committee.

“Their considered and detailed responses have aided our scrutiny of this Bill and we hope our report can help inform Members as they decide whether to vote for or against the proposals at Stage 1.”

Other key findings in the report:

  • The Committee highlights the substantial evidence it has received on the importance of palliative care and expresses its hope that, irrespective of the outcome, the current debate will provide a catalyst for further improvements to be made to the quality and availability of palliative care services in Scotland.
  • The Committee calls for further consideration of issues around capacity should the Bill reach Stage 2. This includes the resource implications for medical services assessing the capacity of those requesting assisted dying; and ensuring the capacity of people with a mental disorder is assessed in a way that is fair and non-discriminatory, while also giving suitable protection for vulnerable individuals.
  • The Committee highlights concerns over the risk of “doctor shopping”, where an individual’s initial request for an assisted death is declined and they seek another medical practitioner’s assessment. Should the Bill progress to Stage 2, the Committee say it may be beneficial to explore further amendments to guard against “doctor shopping”, including creation of a central register of psychiatrists or an independent body or ethics committee to oversee, monitor and review medical practitioners’ decisions.
  • The Committee recognises the intention that, should the Bill become law, assisted dying would be delivered as an integrated part of existing healthcare services rather than a stand-alone service. At the same time, it emphasises the importance of monitoring the impact of the Bill on existing services. It also suggests that certain aspects of assisted dying might be better delivered on a stand-alone basis, in particular to ensure consistent access across the country.
  • The Committee also emphasises the need for a combination of further amendments at Stage 2 and detailed guidance on self-administration and provision of assistance as part of the assisted dying process to ensure absolute clarity and appropriate protection for all parties involved, should the Bill become law.
  • The Committee notes Mr McArthur’s willingness to explore further the possibility of creating an “opt-in” model of participation in assisted dying for health practitioners and says this warrants further debate should the Bill progress to Stage 2.
  • The Committee notes the potential inclusion of a sunset clause (meaning the legislation could not remain in force beyond a defined period without a further vote in the Parliament) may be the subject of further discussion, if the Bill progresses to Stage 2.

Responding to the report by the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland said:
“I welcome the Committee’s report and the fact that MSPs will have a free vote on extending compassionate choice to dying people who need it most in the coming weeks. For too long the status quo – a blanket ban on assisted dying – has caused dying Scots anguish and desperation.

“In forcing people to travel abroad, stop eating and drinking or take matters into their own hands in it is lacking in both compassion and safety. The most dangerous thing Parliament could do here is nothing.

“I am pleased that the committee has noted from evidence provided that assisted
dying can comfortably sit alongside palliative care and that where an assisted dying
law based on terminal illness and mental capacity alone, such as the one proposed
for Scotland, has been introduced there has never been a loosening of the eligibility
criteria. 

“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.

“I know that many will wish that these experiences were covered more fully in the report. The upcoming vote gives them all hope that needless suffering can be consigned to the past.

“As MSPs come to their own decision’s I urge them to listen to the experiences
of their constituents, reflect on the evidence from countries like Australia and New
Zealand and vote for more compassion, choice and safety.”