MSP Makes Final Plea Ahead of Historic Assisted Dying Vote
Liam McArthur, the MSP spearheading legislation to allow assisted dying for terminally ill adults in Scotland, has issued a passionate final appeal to his parliamentary colleagues. As the bill faces its decisive stage three vote at Holyrood, McArthur urged MSPs to "rise to the challenge" and support what he described as a "long overdue and desperately needed" change in the law.
Knife-Edge Decision Expected in Free Vote
The Scottish Parliament is set to vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill around 10pm on Tuesday, with all MSPs participating in a free vote rather than being directed by party whips. A close result is anticipated, with McArthur revealing that some parliamentarians remain undecided about their position.
"I just hope my MSP colleagues grasp this opportunity to address a failing in the current law," McArthur told the Press Association. "The ban on assisted dying is leaving a small but not insignificant number of dying Scots and their families facing horrendous decisions."
The Liberal Democrat MSP warned that rejecting the legislation would leave terminally ill Scots "more at risk, more isolated and more vulnerable." He emphasized that the issue "is not going away" and predicted increasing demand for end-of-life choices as Scotland's population ages.
Stringent Safeguards and Medical Opposition
McArthur defended his proposals as creating "the most heavily safeguarded assisted dying law anywhere in the world." The legislation would require:
- Two doctors to confirm a person is terminally ill and has mental capacity to request assisted dying
- Patients to be "reasonably expected" to have six months or less to live
- Multiple checks and balances throughout the process
However, significant medical opposition has emerged. The Royal College of Psychiatrists and Royal Pharmaceutical Society have both expressed concerns, while Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced she would vote against the bill.
"Doctors, psychiatrists, pharmacists and palliative care specialists – the people who would be tasked with implementing this – are asking us not to do it," Forbes stated. "They think this Bill is unsafe."
Third Attempt at Legislation
This represents the third time Holyrood has considered assisted dying legislation, with two previous attempts failing at their first parliamentary hurdle. Last week saw MSPs make 175 amendments to the current bill during four lengthy sessions.
Opponents gathered outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote, with Dr Gordon Macdonald of campaign group Care Not Killing arguing that such legislation "offers a vision of the future which has no place in a caring Scottish society."
"Vulnerable people who are sick, elderly or disabled can so easily feel pressure, whether real or imagined, to end their lives so as not to be a burden on others," Macdonald cautioned.
McArthur concluded with an emotional appeal, referencing the "stories of so many terminally ill Scots or their families" he has carried with him over five years of campaigning. "I hope at this final hurdle MSPs can rise to the challenge, vote with their convictions and back a Bill that's long overdue and desperately needed," he said.
