Scottish Parliament backs assisted dying invoice in ‘landmark second’ | Politics | News | EUROtoday

MSPs have accepted the final rules of laws that might introduce assisted dying for terminally unwell Scots in a landmark vote at Holyrood. The Scottish Parliament voted by 70 votes to 56 in favour of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill launched by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur, with one abstention.

The vote got here after nearly 5 hours of debate by MSPs on the controversial topic. Mr McArthur stated: “This is a landmark moment for Scotland.”

While he accepted that deciding the best way to vote had been “difficult” for most of the MSPs, he added: “I believe the quality of debate today has shown our Parliament at its finest.”

He added: “This Bill has been a long time coming but, at long last, it can offer that compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it.”

Ally Thomson, director of Dignity in Dying Scotland, hailed the stage one vote as a “watershed moment for compassion”.

She added: “MSPs have today taken a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people.

“The Scottish Parliament has listened to dying folks and is reflecting their views. Many can be feeling overwhelming reduction and gratitude that in the present day our nation has moved in direction of a safer and extra compassionate legislation.”

A number of high-profile MSPs, including First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf had all voted against the Bill, along with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Holyrood had previously rejected two bids to legalise assisted dying at the first vote, with MSPs voting down similar proposals in both 2010 and 2015.

However, with the Parliament having backed the general principles of his Bill, it will now go forward for further scrutiny and amendments.

It will only become law if MSPs approve it in a final vote, which should take place later this year.

Mr McArthur said: “Over the approaching months, I’ll proceed to have discussions with my parliamentary colleagues, medical our bodies and authorized specialists to make sure that this Bill is robustly safeguarded in order that terminally unwell adults can have the selection of accessing assisted dying, alongside different palliative care and help on the finish of life.”

It comes as Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying invoice is because of be debated by MPs within the House of Commons this week.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was supported by a majority of MPs in a historic vote in November.

MPs will debate and certain vote on numerous amendments as a part of the Bill’s report stage this Friday.