Ask them to vote NO to assisted suicide at Stage 3

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Scotland-only assisted suicide Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood. This is separate from the Bill currently progressing through Westminster that proposes legalising assisted suicide in England and Wales. This Scottish Bill is even more extreme than the Bill at Westminster.

While the Scottish Bill passed its first hurdle at Stage 1, the vote was far closer than many commentators expected.

The Telegraph has published an analysis from our Public Affairs team, which indicates that more than 20 MSPs who initially voted for the Bill have indicated they could vote against it at the final vote at Stage 3.

If just seven of these MSPs switch their stance and vote against the Bill, it will be defeated at the Stage 3 vote. This shows that this is a battle that can very much be won.

A group of experts in medicine, disability, sociology, law, and other fields have written to the First Minister, John Swinney, cautioning that “‘assisted dying’ is inherently unsafe and practically unworkable”. This comes at the same time as warnings from people with disabilities, many of whom are “absolutely terrified” at the prospect of the legalisation of assisted suicide.

Experts have warned that risks of coercion are “underplayed significantly in cases of abuse of older people”, and in Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal, 46.6% of people who ended their lives by assisted suicide have cited being a “burden on family, friends/caregivers” as a motivating factor.

Legalising assisted suicide would have tragic consequences for many of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Particularly in the context of insufficient access to excellent end-of-life care for all Scots, it would be disastrous to prioritise legalising assisted suicide. Liam McArthur’s Bill is a disaster waiting to happen.

You can play a key role and make a significant difference today by contacting your MSPs to ask them to vote against this Bill. A vote against the Bill – or even a decision to abstain – gives the Scottish Parliament the opportunity to have the real debate that is needed, which concerns how best to care for people in Scotland as they near the end of their lives. People in Scotland need support, not suicide.

It is absolutely vital that all MSPs understand the strength of feeling and depth of concern that people have about this Bill. MSPs need to be made aware that there are large numbers of voters who remain strongly engaged on this issue and do not want to see this extreme, unwarranted change to the law in Scotland. 

That is why it is vital that your MSPs hear from you now, asking them to vote NO at Stage 3.

Please enter your postcode in the box above to find out how your MSPs voted and ask your MSPs to vote NO at Stage 3.