MSP: If legislation passes we’ll wonder why it took us so long
THE MSP who brought the assisted dying Bill to the Scottish Parliament said yesterday the issue “cuts across the political divide” as he set out to win over sceptics of his proposals. Lib Dem Liam McArthur said he would look to hold further discussions with those who have expressed doubts over the legislation, including the leaders of both the SNP and Scottish Labour. If passed by MSPs, McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill would allow a mentally competent adult with a terminal illness to end their life using lethal medication, taken in the presence of a healthcare worker. The patient would have to sign a declaration before two independent witnesses saying they have voluntarily reached the decision. The legislation will be scrutinised by Holyrood committees before MSPs are given a free vote, which could take place by the end of the year. Two previous attempts to change the law on assisted dying in Scotland have been voted down but McArthur said attitudes in Holyrood had changed since the issue was last debated in 2015. “It’s important to point out 128 MSPs will have a vote on this and I need to persuade a majority of them,” he said. “I’ve had discussions with Humza Yousaf. I welcome the fact he’s been open to those discussions but I recognise he’s not yet persuaded. “I’ll do what I can to bring him round to the belief this is a change in the law we need to see. But I welcome that he, and other party leaders, recognise this needs to be a free vote.”
McArthur added: “I know a number of Humza Yousaf’s backbenchers are strong supporters of the need for a change in the law. It’s the same in the Conservative Party and Labour.
“This is an issue that cuts across the party political divide.”
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, previously told the Record he was “yet to be convinced” on the need for the reform.
He pointed to concerns from his party colleague Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair user to become an MSP, who warned the legislation could be “dangerous” for those living with disabilities.
McArthur said: “I’ve had a number of conversations with Pam over the last couple of years and I really appreciate her input.
“The reassurance I can give is eligibility would be based on an advanced terminal illness and mental capacity. Disability wouldn’t be sufficient access to death under the proposals.
“If a person with a disability had advanced terminal illness and mental capacity, and wished to have the choice of an assisted death, I think it would be pretty unacceptable to deny them that.”
McArthur added it was “perfectly achievable” for assisted dying to be introduced in Scotland before the rest of the UK.
He said: “There are similar bills being taken forward in Jersey and the Isle of Man at the moment. But it’s not a race.
“I understand the urgency, particularly for those with a terminal illness, this change in the law cannot come soon enough but legislation needs to be properly scrutinised.
“It feels like the next great liberal reform. Once we pass this legislation, we’ll wonder why it took us so long.”