3 out of 4 Scots support assisted dying says MSP behind new bill.
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur is presenting his bill to Holyrood
Last updated 8th Sep 2022
An MSP says there is widespread support for his vison to change the law to allow assisted dying in Scotland as he attempts to persuade other parties to back his Members Bill at Holyrood.
Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, said the "overwhelming" consultation on his plans showed a majority support such a measure with 76% saying they "fully support" it.
A total of 14,038 responses were received in the consultation - the highest number of responses received so far for a proposed Members Bill at Holyrood.
Speaking ahead of lodging a final proposal for the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) on Thursday, he said he hoped to be able to bring legislation to the Scottish Parliament next year.
Third attempt to change the law
Holyrood has already voted down two attempts to legislate for assisted dying, in a campaign initially spearheaded by the late MSP Margo McDonald, but Mr McArthur insisted it was "a law that's time has come".
All deaths under the scheme would be recorded and reported for safety, monitoring and research purposed.
READ MORE: Leading MSPs back law change
Mr McArthur told how during the consultation he had "heard from dying people who would very much like to have this choice available to them as their illness progresses".
Without legislation to permit assisted dying, he said people could face "a series of unimaginable choices". He said that his proposals could give them "peace of mind in their final months knowing that if they need it when the time comes they can have a peaceful death that is right for them".
Harrowing stories
The MSP continued: "I have also been particularly struck by many harrowing accounts from those who witnessed their loved ones endure a bad death.
"They sent a powerful message that, even with excellent palliative care, the option of an assisted death would have made such a difference in terms of reducing unnecessary suffering.
"A safe and compassionate assisted dying law is a law that's time has come."
He added: "I am pleased to be lodging the final proposal for the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Members Bill in the Scottish Parliament today.
"I am confident of receiving the necessary signatures from my MSP colleagues which allows me to proceed with the drafting of a Bill I hope to introduce to Parliament next year. I then look forward to taking the Bill through its Parliamentary journey."
Humanist backing
The proposals already have the backing of the Humanist Society of Scotland, whose chief executive Fraser Sutherland said: "Humanism is rooted in the idea that all humans must have autonomy over their bodies, and the right to an assisted death has been something that we have supported and campaigned for across three attempts to change the law in Scotland.
"Today we urge Scotland's MSPs to back the Bill and be on side with the views of the majority of Scotland's population, and bring safe and legal access to assisted dying in Scotland."
Warnings from other countries
But Dr Gordon Macdonald, of the campaign group Care Not Killing, which is spearheading opposition to the Bill, said: "Evidence from other countries shows that when assisted suicide or euthanasia are legalised, the safeguards promised are quickly removed and the law is extended to include more and more vulnerable people.
"People will come under pressure from others to end their lives for fear of being a financial or care burden. People with depression won't get the proper psychiatric support they need and palliative care services will continue to be underfunded.
"This is a very dangerous Bill and the proponents of a change in the law have failed to address these concerns or even to engage in a debate about them.
"We need to care for people who are suffering, not encourage them or provide them with a mechanism to end their lives. This is why we champion the extension of high quality palliative care to all those who need it and better support for their families."