SPUC has said it is “deeply concerned” after MSPs voted in favour of a proposed assisted suicide bill for Scotland. “SPUC will continue to urge every MSP to consider the great dangers inherent in assisted suicide”, said SPUC CEO John Deighan.
This evening, MSPs voted 70 to 56 in favour of Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The draft law will now move on to the next stage of scrutiny, to be voted on again by MSPs at a future date.
Responding to the vote, SPUC CEO John Deighan said: “Today, the Scottish Parliament has voted to support assisted suicide.
“At SPUC, we are deeply concerned by this decision and will continue to campaign against legislation which could make assisted suicide a legal reality in Scotland. It is difficult to believe that MSPs could support what will effectively be the creation of a state suicide service. Politicians should be working hard to provide the support necessary for people to live, not providing them with a lethal concoction of drugs to die.
“At a time when suicide is on the rise in Scotland, MSPs should be doing all they can to reduce it. This vote sends out the dangerous message that suicide is the right choice provided it is overseen by a doctor.
“Although MSPs voted to allow the legislation to continue to the next stage, the margin by which they did so was very small: 70 to 56, with one abstention. With this in mind, SPUC will continue to urge every MSP to consider the great dangers inherent in assisted suicide legislation and to focus their energies on ensuring we give everyone access to modern pain relief and the highest quality of palliative care.”
MSPs voice fears about assisted suicide
Today, on 13 May, MSPs debated the draft law at the Scottish Parliament, hearing arguments for and against McArthur’s bill.
Deputy Labour leader Jackie Baillie said that “too much about the bill has not been scrutinised”. She warned about its lack of safeguards, especially regarding coercion from abusive partners who might “weaponise” assisted suicide.
Michael Matheson, a former health secretary, also stated that coercion would be “inevitable” if assisted suicide were to be legalised. “We should be in no doubt individuals will experience coercion and pressure from others”, the SNP MSP said.
Scottish Conservative MSP Jeremy Balfour said he would oppose the bill because “all life is sacred and worthy of protection”. He added that dialogue with disabled groups and individuals had convinced him that they and other vulnerable groups would fall victim to assisted suicide.
Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair MSP ever elected, was also vehemently opposed to the bill. She warned that the bill would send a message to disabled people like herself that life “is not worth living.
Also concerned about coercion, Duncan-Glancy slammed the lack of safeguards in the bill, which, if passed, would be “the start of a slippery slope”.
Many of the MSPs opposed to the bill also said that investment in palliative care, not assisted suicide, was the answer to the challenges of end-of-life care.
The bill will now progress to Stage 2 when MSPs can make amendments. A final MSP debate and vote on the amended bill will then take place at Stage 3.
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