GIVE THEM THE CHOICE
SNP leadership hopeful Ash Regan backs bid to legalise assisted dying
SNP leadership candidate Ash Regan has offered her support to proposed new laws to legalise assisted dying in Scotland for people who are terminally ill.
The Sunday Mail asked everyone who’s standing to replace Nicola Sturgeon as first minister what their position on the controversial proposed legislation was.
Only Regan offered her support, while rivals Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes are both against it.
Assisted dying is illegal in the UK but in October Scottish Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur won the right to introduce a Members’ Bill in the Scottish Parliament which would allow people to end their life.
The legislation would require two doctors to confirm the person was terminally ill, show that the person had the mental capacity to make the decision to request assisted dying and make sure the decision was made without coercion.
Reg an said :“I support in principle the right to people having the choice of assisted dying in terminally ill situations, however I would need to see the Bill and I would expect there to be robust debate over protections and safeguarding. It’s critical if we move forward on this, we get it right.”
Finance Secretary Forbes and Health Secretary Yousaf both said they had not been persuaded of the merits of the proposed law.
Forbes said: “I believe that everyone should have dignity and respect at the end of their life.
“Personally, I have never been persuaded that any legislation on assisted suicide, whether that proposed in the Scottish Parliament or that in place in other parts of the world, contains enough safeguards to protect the most vulnerable in society.”
Yo us af said :“I have previously expressed concerns that legislation on assisted dying could have a negative impact on those with disabilities and vulnerable in our society – views that are shared by many prominent disability activists and health clinicians. As such, I am not yet persuaded to support a potential Bill.
“However, I fundamentally believe people have the right to die in dignity and continue to listen carefully to the debates from both sides.” Last yea r McAr t hur received backing from 36 MSPs, well beyond the threshold that would allow him to introduce the Bill. MSPs across all parties are likely to be given a free vote to express their personal opinions rather than having to vote in line with their party’s policies.
Supporters of the legislation argue people should be able to help terminally ill loved ones who are experiencing great suffering to end their lives.
McArthur, MSP for Orkney, said: “My Bill gives us the opportunity to get the right law for Scotland, a law that makes sure dying people have both highquality palliative care and the choice they need should they need it.
“I hope the SNP leadership candidates will recognise the compelling case for a change in the law.”
Ally Thomson, director of Dignity In Dying Scotland, said: “Right now too many terminally ill people face a bad death, even with excellent palliative care. They are forced to consider Switzerland, suffering or taking matters into their own hands – none of which are safe or acceptable alternatives to a peaceful death at a time that is right for them.
“Scotland’s next first minister has to listen to what dying people and those who have witnessed a loved one suffer a painful and protracted death are telling them – that terminally ill Scots need excellent care and the choice of an assisted death.”
Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, said: “The current law is clear and right and works. Scotland can do much better by investing more in palliative and social care.”
Humza Yousaf has insisted he can deliver independence within five years if he becomes first minister.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mail, the SNP leadership hopeful also made it clear he would be willing to raise tax for high earners in the bid to fight poverty if he wins the battle for Bute House.
And he revealed he would only be willing to serve in the cabinet of rival candidate Kate Forbes – viewed as being more economically conservative – if assurances were given that she wouldn’t abandon progressive policies.
Pol ls suggest Yousaf and Finance Secretary Forbes are neck and neck as voting in the leadership pol l opens tomorrow for thousands of party members.
His campaign was boosted yesterday when Deputy First Minister John Swinney revealed his backing.
Yousaf said: “I am honoured to have the backing of John Swinney – a true giant of the SNP and independence movement – to become SNP leader.”
MSP and former minister Ash Regan is also in the running to replace Nicola
Sturgeon and contestants’ plans for independence is a key battleground.
Asked if it can happen, Yousaf said: “Absolutely. It can be achieved within five years but that’s going to take persuasion and we’re going to have to give people a hope and a vision.
“People aren’t inspired by talk about