North’ s support for assisted dying law highest in Scotland

Shetland, Orkney and parts of Aberdeenshire show the most support in Scotland for plans to legalise assisted dying.

A clear majority of the country, especially in the Northern Isles, backs the proposals lodged at the Scottish Parliament.

It comes as Orkney MSP Liam McArthur claimed the ban on assisted dying is “unsustainable”, and forces people to make journeys to countries such as Switzerland for help.

Speaking to The Press and Journal’s political podcast, The Stooshie, he insisted public opinion was on his side.

“Poll after poll has suggested an overwhelming level of support for a change in the law,” he said.

“The ban on assisted dying is unsustainable. We must do better.”

The biggest ever survey on the topic, carried out by Opinium Research, found three-quarters of Scottish residents are in favour.

Mr McArthur’s Orkney constituency ranked alongside Shetland as the most supportive, at 82%.

He added: “I am particularly pleased to see Orkney and Shetland at the top of the list when it comes to levels of support for assisted dying.

“Being brought up in Orkney has always shaped my outlook, so it’s perhaps no great surprise that people in Orkney back what is generally considered to be the next great liberal reform.”

The Western Isles had the lowest levels of support across the Highlands and Islands, but 76% of those polled were still in favour.

In the north-east, support was particularly high in Banffshire and Buchan Coast, where four in every five residents said they backed the policy.

The Opinium poll found every single Holyrood constituency is in favour of changing the law.

First Minister Humza Yousaf’s Glasgow Pollok patch – where 67% backed the proposals – was the second least supportive across the country.

Previous attempts to pass assisted dying legislation in Holyrood failed, partially due to concerns that safeguards were not strong enough to prevent the law being exploited.

The model put forward by Mr McArthur would only allow those suffering from a terminal illness who are of sound mind to opt for assisted dying.

“The proposals this time are highly safeguarded,” he said.

“The eligibility criteria are as restricted as they possibly could be.”

But given the proposals have been voted down twice before, what has changed now?

“Around two-thirds of the MSPs in the Scottish Parliament were not around in 2015, and haven’t had a chance to debate this issue or vote on it,” Mr McArthur said.

“I think that the public attitudes to this are pretty clear. It’s taken a bit of time for the political mood to catch up.

“From conversations I have had with colleagues, many of them have their own personal stories and that’s forming the way they look at this issue.”

Opponents of assisted dying still fear the laws could be exploited to coerce vulnerable older people into ending their lives prematurely.

Many religious groups have always opposed the proposals.

Mr Yousaf said he has doubts over the policy, while Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has “yet to be convinced”.

Better Way, a campaign group opposed to the plans, said nothing had changed since the policy was last put in front of MSPs.

Spokesperson Dr Miro Griffiths said: “This practice has been debated at length and rejected at both Holyrood and Westminster because of

overwhelming evidence of its dangers.

“Nothing has changed since past debates.”

Campaigners in favour say the latest polling is a clear indication the public want to see the current status quo overhauled.

Ally Thomson, director of Dignity in Dying, said: “The message from constituents to their MSPs is strikingly clear – it is time to change the law.”

Fraser Sutherland, of Humanist Society Scotland, said: “Many compassionate alternatives have proved effective overseas, and it’s time for the same humanity to be extended to people in Scotland.”

Terminally-ill Scots who want to end their own life in Switzerland often face costs of up to £15,000.

Polling found 55% of respondents would consider making the trip, but 57% said they would be unable to afford it.

You can listen to our full interview with Liam McArthur on our politics podcast, The Stooshie.

BACKING: A total of 82% of people in Orkney are in favour of assisted dying legislation.