A Stand for the Vulnerable: Holyrood Votes Down Assisted Suicide Proposal

Last night, MSPs voted 69–57 to reject Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. 

Following an evening of robust and deeply considered debate, a majority of MSPs concluded that they could not support the Bill. Members highlighted several concerns, including what they viewed as insufficient safeguards, particularly regarding the risk of coercion among vulnerable groups such as disabled individuals and victims of domestic abuse. The absence of an opt‑out provision for hospices and care homes opposed to assisted suicide was also a significant issue, as was the removal of key protections for healthcare professionals—developments that prompted the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to move from neutrality to opposition last week.

Twelve MSPs who had supported the Bill at Stage 1 voted against it at Stage 3. They were: Jamie Hepburn, Mairi McAllan, Audrey Nicoll, Collette Stevenson, Miles Briggs, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Alexander Stewart, Brian Whittle, Daniel Johnson, Paul Sweeney, and Martin Whitfield.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, stated: 

“MSPs can be confident that they have taken the correct and responsible course of action by voting to reject the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Their decision safeguards some of Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals from the risk of being pressured into an early death. 

“As a society, our duty is not to address suffering by eliminating the sufferer, but by surrounding each person with care, respect, and dignity until their natural end. Today’s vote moves Scotland further in that direction, and MSPs should be commended for this.”

Bishop Keenan further suggested that parliamentarians and the government should now make progress by strengthening palliative care, ensuring that it is properly funded and accessible to all who require it. You can read Bishop Keenan’s full statement, here.

Catholic Parliamentary Office Director, Anthony Horan, said: 

“I feel a profound sense of relief. 

“I would like to thank all MSPs for their thoughtful and careful consideration of the complex issues surrounding Liam McArthur’s Bill. I believe Parliament has made the right decision in rejecting assisted dying, thereby upholding human dignity and protecting the vulnerable. 

“We must now work together to improve palliative and social care, ensuring that everyone who needs support receives it and that no one is left behind. 

“I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all those within the Catholic community who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including the many thousands who contacted their MSPs. You have spoken up for the weak and vulnerable and parliamentarians have listened.”

If you are able, please contact your MSPs, to thank them for their careful and thoughtful consideration of this important matter.”
 
You can find your MSPs details, here (enter your postcode when prompted).

To find out how your MSPs voted, click this link.