Scots MPs warn MSPs about lack of 'safeguards' ahead of assisted dying votes
Both Labour and Conservative MPs who opposed a similar bill in Westminster have raised concerns about “the rush to reach a decision before the Holyrood election”.
Scottish MPs have warned their MSP colleagues about a lack of “safeguards” as the assisted dying bill begins its final stages at Holyrood.
Both Labour and Conservative MPs who opposed a similar bill in Westminster have raised concerns about “the rush to reach a decision before the Holyrood election” and the “little progress” which has been made on protection for vulnerable people.
Some 328 amendments are to be debated by MSPs as part of stage three considerations of Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.
The large volume of amendments – coupled with the nature of the legislation – means the Scottish Parliament is expected to sit late tonight and again on Wednesday and Thursday as MSPs consider possible changes.
The Bill will then face a final vote at Holyrood in a week’s time, on Tuesday March 17.
The controversial legislation could allow terminally ill people to seek help to die.
Labour’s Scott Arthur warned that the legislation was being rushed through ahead of Holyrood breaking up later this month for the election.
The Edinburgh South West MP said: “It’s clear that MSPs, on balance, support the principle of assisted dying. But this vote is not about the principle, it’s about whether the safeguards are strong enough to protect vulnerable people from coercive or controlling behaviour.
“I’m concerned by the rush to reach a decision before the Holyrood election, and disappointed that those calling for stronger protections are being dismissed as simply ‘kicking the can down the road’.
“Ensuring vulnerable people are safe should never be treated as an inconvenience.”
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His Labour colleague Richard Baker - who was previously an MSP for 13 years - said there had been little movement over protections.
The Glenrothes and Mid Fife MP said: “I took part in the debates on Margo McDonald’s Bill when I was an MSP and have been struck by how little progress proponents of the legislation have made both at Holyrood and Westminster in providing effective and adequate safeguards.
“The Bill in Holyrood is clearly a matter for MSPs, but this was a key factor for me when I decided to oppose the Private Member’s Bill by Kim Leadbeater in Westminster.”
Labour MP for Coatbridge and Bellshill Frank McNally said: “While this is, of course, a decision for MSPs, I remain opposed to assisted dying legislation. I voted against similar proposals at Westminster and nothing I have heard in this debate has changed my view. If anything, the arguments and very real concerns of those on the frontline have strengthened my feelings.
“This Bill would fundamentally alter the relationship between doctor and patient. With access to palliative care still uneven, and real concerns about coercion and vulnerable people feeling they are a burden, I would urge MSPs to think very carefully before supporting legislation of this nature.”
Scottish Tory John Lamont warned about the lack of safeguards.
The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP - who was an MSP for a decade from 2007 - said: “This is a matter for MSPs but it is clear that there are growing concerns about how this legislation would work in practice. The same challenges have been raised at Westminster.
“Any legislation on assisted dying is going to have profound implications and it is crucial that there are sufficient protections for the most vulnerable in our society. I’m not convinced they are currently there.”
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell said the bill should have the same rules as the one passed in Westminster.
The former MSP said: “I'm opposed to assisted dying but if it is to go ahead it should be the same rules that apply across the UK and there should not be separate provisions in Scotland.”
Speaking ahead of the start of stage three considerations of the Bill, Mr McArthur urged MSPs not to “hunt for excuses to kick the can down the road, as this issue is certainly not going away”.
The Liberal Democrat MSP insisted: “This is the right Bill at the right time. It’s time to give terminally ill Scots that compassionate choice.”
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