Opponents warn the law would cross ethical lines; supporters call it a matter of dignity and choice
Demonstrators gathered outside the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday morning, just hours before Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) held a free vote on one of the nation’s most contentious legal reforms — a bill to legalise assisted dying.
Spearheaded by Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, the bill would allow terminally ill adults in Scotland to request help to end their lives if two doctors independently confirm the diagnosis and mental capacity of the patient. It’s a proposal that has split public opinion and the political establishment alike, with fierce debate over morality, dignity, and the role of the state.
Outside Holyrood, campaigners opposed to the measure, including prominent disability rights advocate and Silent Witness actor Liz Carr, staged protests, warning that legalising assisted dying sends a dangerous message about whose lives are considered worth living.
Scottish Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy, one of the few disabled MSPs at Holyrood and a key voice in the debate, strongly opposed the bill. “This is not just about choice or autonomy,” she said. “We are legislating for the state to assist someone to take their own life, and in almost every other circumstance, we legislate for people to live and live well.”
Duncan-Glancy, who has lived with chronic pain for more than four decades, argued that improved access to palliative care, not assisted death, should be the state’s response to suffering.
The bill’s stage one vote is not yet decisive—it merely allows the proposal to move forward to the committee stage, where it will face detailed scrutiny and potential amendments. Nonetheless, the vote marks a pivotal moment for a debate that has stalled in Scottish politics for years.
All three of Scotland’s most recent first ministers—John Swinney, Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon—have voiced their opposition. On Instagram, Sturgeon expressed concern that, even with safeguards, the bill couldn’t protect against “internal coercion,” where vulnerable patients may feel they’re a burden. “A right to die might become, in the minds of some people, a perceived duty to die,” she warned.
The bill does not include a specific timeframe for expected death, unlike a similar bill proposed for England and Wales, which limits eligibility to patients expected to die within six months. McArthur argues that this broader approach recognises the unpredictable trajectory of terminal illness.
Fraser Sutherland, CEO of the Humanist Society of Scotland, addressed supporters outside the parliament, urging MSPs to “be bold, brave, and compassionate.” He said that “too many Scots with terminal illnesses are forced to suffer or die abroad simply because the law denies them control over their final moments.”
“Assisted dying is not a fringe idea,” Sutherland said. “It is mainstream. This bill is about compassion, dignity, and the fundamental right to choose.”
McArthur, who also serves as one of the Parliament’s deputy presiding officers, stressed the emotional toll on families under the current law. “Too many patients are left suffering, and families traumatised,” he said. “The wealthiest can afford to travel to Switzerland. Others take matters into their own hands.”
With polls suggesting strong public support for change, McArthur urged colleagues to engage seriously with the issue rather than dismiss it as too divisive. “Scotland cannot put off this conversation,” he said. “Parliament must give this bill the time and space it needs to see whether a consensus can be reached.”
As Holyrood begins its detailed examination of the bill, both sides of the debate remain deeply entrenched—one advocating choice, the other warning of unintended consequences.
BBC
Scotland has taken a major step towards legalising assisted dying after Holyrood voted 70–56 in favour of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Proposed by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, the bill would allow mentally competent adults with a terminal illness to seek medical help to end their lives. This marks the third attempt to introduce such legislation since 2010. The debate was emotional, with supporters citing dignity and compassion, and opponents warning of risks to vulnerable groups, including disabled people. Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy voiced fears it could undermine the value of disabled lives, while First Minister John Swinney and Labour leader Anas Sarwar opposed the bill. The Scottish Government remains neutral. The legislation does not specify a life expectancy but defines terminal illness broadly. Campaigners are divided, with humanists and dignity groups celebrating the result, while religious and disability organisations remain opposed. The bill will now move to further scrutiny and possible amendments at stage two.
STV NEWS
MSPs voted 70–56 in favour of the Assisted Dying Bill, marking the first significant step toward legalising the practice in Scotland. The bill, led by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, would allow terminally ill adults to request help to end their lives. Strict safeguards are included: patients must be mentally competent, diagnosed by two doctors, and able to self-administer the medication. The debate was emotional, dividing parliament and campaigners. First Minister John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, and former leaders Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf opposed the bill, citing risks to vulnerable people and concerns over patient-doctor trust. Proponents argued for dignity and choice at life’s end, with stories like Joanne Easton’s highlighting the trauma families face under current law. While campaigners hailed the vote as a win for compassion, critics like Care Not Killing warn the bill could harm palliative care. The legislation now proceeds to further amendment and scrutiny before a final vote.
