Election / Assisted dying – what do the election candidates think?
IN THE end there were just 12 votes separating those who supported the assisted dying for the terminally ill bill in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday evening, and those who did not.
The bill revolved around the idea of terminally ill, mentally competent adults in Scotland being able to request medical help to end their lives.
Orkney MSP Liam McArthur, who led the bill, said he was “devastated” that it did not pass after gaining 57 votes, but maintained his view that the issue – which has gone in front of parliament twice before – will not go away.
With Scotland set to elect its next batch of MSPs in early May, Shetland News asked the five candidates publicly confirmed so far in the Shetland constituency for their views on the bill, and the issue itself – while recognising it is a personal, complex and nuanced topic.
The majority of the candidates said they were in support of the principle of assisted dying for the terminally ill.
In alphabetical order, the Greens’ Alex Armitage – who is a doctor himself – said the key reason why he would have voted for the bill was his belief in the principle of autonomy.
But he conceded he has found it a “challenging topic, both from a professional perspective as a doctor, as well as from a personal one”.
“Death is not a subject that is easy to think about,” he said.
“I’ve listened with medical colleagues, religious leaders, constituents, friends and family members. The arguments I’ve heard have been emotive, passionately held and convincing, on both sides of the argument.
“Making assisted dying available to terminally ill patients brings significant ethical challenges but I believe that these can be managed as part of a high quality, holistic palliative care service in the NHS.
“The main reason I’d have supported the bill is that I believe in the principle of autonomy, and ultimately I believe that there should be a mechanism, in certain circumstances, for folk who are dying to choose to end their life under medical supervision.”
Labour candidate John Erksine said he supported the principles behind the bill, but would not have voted for it as it stood.
“I recognise that assisted dying is a deeply personal and complex issue, and one that people hold strong and sincere views on,” he said.
“I support the principles behind the bill, particularly the argument that those with a terminal illness should have dignity, agency, and choice at the end of life. No one should be forced to endure unnecessary suffering, and I understand why many people feel strongly that the law should reflect that.
“However, I would not support the bill as it stands.
“My concern is not with the intent, but with whether Scotland is currently in a position to deliver this safely and fairly. After years of pressure on our NHS and gaps in palliative care provision, I do not believe we can yet guarantee that every patient has access to the high-quality end-of-life care they deserve.
“That matters, because choice at the end of life must be a genuine choice, not one shaped by unequal access to care, or fear of being a burden.
“For me, the priority must be fixing our NHS and ensuring consistent, high-quality palliative care is available to everyone, no matter where they live in Scotland.
“Once that foundation is in place, I would be open to revisiting this issue. But as things stand, I do not believe this legislation can be implemented in a way that is safe or fair for all.”
SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad also said she was personally in favour of the bill.
But said acknowledged there are “profound and deeply held opinions on both sides of this debate”.
“These beliefs come from a place of care, and of empathy and that deserves respect,” Goodlad said.
“In 2010 there were 16 MSPs in favour of the bill, in 2015 there were 36 and on Tuesday evening there were 57.
“This is an issue that is not going away and there is so much to consider between now and a future vote.
“There is a need to hear all sides and personal experiences across the board – including the input of health and care professionals. If elected, I would value engaging with people on it.”
Goodlad said watching the debate on Tuesday evening was “very emotional” – but at the same time it “demonstrated the very best of Scottish parliament – respectful, considerate, and principled”.
“I also want to commend Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur on the way he conducted this bill and collaborated compassionately with all,” she added.
“We need to see more of this cross-party work and collaboration inside and outside of the Holyrood chamber.”
The Liberal Democrat candidate Emma Macdonald said she is in favour of the principle of assisted dying.
She said the debate was “powerful, with some incredibly heartfelt contributions”.
“I think the debate was conducted respectfully on both sides and across party divides. This was clearly a very difficult decision for those in the chamber and the work that has been carried out by Liam McArthur has been so focused and dedicated it was difficult to watch without feeling the emotion,” Macdonald continued.
“In principle I am in favour of assisted dying but that is a personal view determined by my own thoughts and experiences.
“If I was making this decision in parliament I would ensure I examined the evidence and the details of what is in the bill before making a decision and would also consider the engagement with constituents.
“One thing that has come across clearly throughout all the debates on the assisted dying bill is the need for a real focus on palliative care and the need for this to be treated as a priority.
“Across Scotland there are very different experiences on palliative care, and we need to ensure parity.”
Alliance to Liberate Scotland candidate Brian Nugent said instead of legislating for assisted dying, “why not legislate for assisted living?”
“Marie Curie are running a campaign called ‘Fix end of life care’,” he said.
“They say that there is a provision postcode lottery, there are funding issues, and that the need for palliative care is not being met, almost one in three people are dying without the care and support they need.
“Palliative care is for those in life-limiting illness, and managing this through holistic care addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs, emotional support and expert pain management.
“Fund hospices, community services, and palliative expertise properly, find the geographical gaps and fill them. Should society not look to protect the fragile and value every life?”
Nugent said other jurisdictions have introduced legislation similar to the assisted dying bill which “introduces a slippery slope as the law develops further and further – the experience of Canada shows just that”.
“Coercion when someone is at their most vulnerable is more than a possibility – should we allow the ill to be pushed towards assisted dying?” he continued.
“Coercion can come from family members, from the dominant partner in an abusive relationship or from being special needs and feeling a burden.
“How long before a right to die becomes a duty to die, a kind of coercion in itself?
“Assisted dying is such a radical change to the medical profession that allowing for an opt out for a conscience position would seem justified.
“As this aspect of policy is not devolved to Edinburgh, every medical practitioner could be forced to be involved in assisted dying as the bill stands.
“The Royal College of Psychiatrists opposes the bill on these grounds. Doctors admit that ‘we are not good at being very accurate’, about how long a person has to live, and this is regarded as a selling point of the bill.
“Assisting a suicide is a crime; when Jim Wallace was the Moderator of the Church of Scotland, he said this bill would make it legal, in certain situations, to provide assistance to actively end the life of another person, to assist a suicide.
“Assisting suicide does not sit well in a society trying to prevent vulnerable people taking their own lives.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
