Ross set to cast vote against assisted dying bill
All three main party leaders ‘have concerns’ on proposal
DOUGLAS Ross has said he will vote against the assisted dying legislation, meaning the leaders of all three main parties will oppose the proposals when they come before Holyrood later this year.
The Scottish Conservative leader joins First Minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in saying they have concerns about the plans, being brought forward by Libdem MSP Liam Mcarthur.
Mr Yousaf outlined his opposition to Mr Mcarthur’s bill in a newspaper interview last autumn, while Mr Sarwar made his views clear earlier this week.
Mr Ross spoke out after the bill was introduced to Holyrood yesterday, the final day before a two-week Easter recess. But although he would vote against the plans, his party would grant a free or conscience vote to its MSPS.
He said he had concerns as to whether there was sufficient safeguards in the proposals to protect vulnerable people.
“I have carefully considered the proposals in this proposed legislation and have received many emails and letters from constituents who both support and oppose assisted dying,” he said.
“Ultimately, I have concerns about the proposed legislation and have not been convinced that it contains adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable individuals.
“For these reasons, I will not be supporting the bill. However, I recognise that this is a conscience issue for many, and that there are passionately-held opinions on both sides of the debate. That is why this should be, and is, a free vote for Scottish Conservative MSPS.”
Speaking last year, Mr Yousaf said his opposition to assisted dying plans has hardened after talks with disability campaigners.
The First Minister said people with disabilities feared they would be the “thin end of the wedge” if the proposals became law.
In an interview with the Daily Record, he said: “My view has always been to be open-minded to the discussion, but I have not been persuaded and I feel even less persuaded after a recent discussion with the Glasgow Disability Alliance.
“I went to meet with [chief executive] Tressa Burke and a whole group of individuals, people with disabilities, and they were incredibly strong in their opposition to assisted
dying, given that they felt that they would be the ones, as they described it, that would be the thin end of the wedge when it came to assisted dying.”
Sources close to Mr Yousaf told The Herald last night that his views expressed last year had not changed and he continued to oppose the assisted dying legislation.
Mr Sarwar said earlier this week he is “yet to be convinced” of the case for a radical change.
The Scottish Labour leader said he was “not currently minded” to support the Assisted Dying Bill when it is put to a vote at Holyrood.
Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater and Scottish Libdem leader Alex Cole-hamilton will vote for the bill.
Legislation was published in Holyrood yesterday – with Mr Mcarthur insisting there is “compelling evidence” to support the move.
He said he is “confident” the Scottish Parliament will back his legislation when it comes before it for a vote, adding “robust safeguards” are included.
A consultation by Mr Mcarthur ahead of publication of his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill found 76% of the 14,038 people who took part fully support such a change.
Opponents have said they fear it would mean the lives of people who are ill or disabled being “devalued”, with the Bishop of Paisley John Keenan branding it is a “dangerous idea”.
His bill sets out plans to give people over the age of 16 with an advanced terminal illness the option of requesting an assisted death. they would have to have the mental capacity to make such a request, which would have to be made voluntarily.
Two doctors would have to be satisfied of the patient’s condition.