Edinburgh — The Scottish Parliament is preparing for a closely watched and deeply emotive vote on legalising assisted dying, as MSPs consider a landmark bill that would allow terminally ill adults to request medical help to end their lives.
The stage one vote, scheduled to follow a debate in the chamber, will mark the third time in Holyrood’s history that legislation on assisted dying has been brought forward. But unlike previous attempts, supporters believe the growing public debate and cross-party backing give the latest proposal its strongest chance yet of success.
A Free Vote, But a Split Parliament
Tabled by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill seeks to establish a legal route for terminally ill patients — confirmed by two doctors to be mentally fit — to access medical assistance to end their lives.
The vote will be conducted on a free vote basis, meaning parties will not whip their members, leaving individual MSPs to decide based on conscience. While dozens of parliamentarians have declared their positions, many remain undecided, and the vote is expected to be extremely close.
McArthur urged colleagues to allow the bill to move to the next stage:
“Scotland cannot put off this conversation. Parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the ‘too difficult’ box.”
If MSPs back the general principles of the legislation at stage one, it will proceed to the committee stage, where amendments can be proposed. A final vote would then be required before it could become law. If rejected now, the bill will fall.
Who Supports It?
Supporters of the bill span several parties, with key figures from the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Greens, and SNP signalling their support.
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Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Lib Dem leader
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Jackson Carlaw, former Scottish Conservative leader
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Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens co-leaders
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Shirley-Anne Somerville, Social Justice Secretary
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Rachael Hamilton, Scottish Conservative deputy leader
Advocates argue that the bill’s safeguards are robust and necessary, particularly for patients facing prolonged suffering. McArthur highlighted that the status quo leaves some terminally ill people vulnerable, and that current laws may push individuals toward unregulated or traumatic alternatives.
“This bill provides protections where currently there are none,” he said. “We must provide people with dignity, choice, and compassionate care at the end of life.”
Who’s Opposed?
However, opposition is formidable — and includes some of Scotland’s most senior political figures, both past and present.
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First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes have confirmed they will vote against.
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Former First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are also opposed.
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has expressed deep reservations.
Sturgeon, writing on Instagram, warned of the risk of “internal coercion”, where terminally ill individuals may feel pressure — explicit or implied — to end their lives out of concern for others.
“I worry that many people will choose to die more prematurely than they need to,” she wrote, adding that defining terminal illness in legal terms is fraught with ambiguity.
Pam Duncan-Glancy, a Labour MSP and the first permanent wheelchair user elected to Holyrood, has been among the most vocal critics. She expressed concern that the bill could unintentionally endanger disabled and vulnerable people, whose lives are often undervalued in medical contexts.
“We have to be very careful about what message this legislation sends about which lives are worth living,” she said.
The Safeguards in Focus
The proposed legislation includes a set of strict eligibility criteria, including:
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The individual must be at least 18 years old (increased from 16 in an earlier draft)
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Must have a terminal illness as confirmed by two independent doctors
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Must be judged mentally capable of making the decision
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A mandatory reflection period before final approval
No medical professional would be compelled to participate, and the process would be overseen by an independent review body.
Despite these provisions, critics argue that no safeguard can completely eliminate the risks of coercion, misdiagnosis, or psychological vulnerability, especially in end-of-life scenarios.
Public Opinion and Political Pressure
Polls over the past five years suggest a majority of Scots support the principle of assisted dying, often by margins of 65% or more. Advocacy groups such as Dignity in Dying Scotland have ramped up public campaigns, pointing to international models in countries like Canada, New Zealand, and parts of the US where assisted dying is already legal.
However, religious organisations, disability rights groups, and some medical professionals remain vocally opposed, fearing a slippery slope toward broader euthanasia and the erosion of trust in end-of-life care.
The Scottish Government has taken a neutral stance. Health Secretary Neil Gray, who will speak for the government during the debate, said he will abstain from the vote to preserve neutrality.
History of Failure
This is the third attempt to pass assisted dying legislation in the Scottish Parliament. Previous bills — led by Margo MacDonald in 2010 and Patrick Harvie in 2015 — failed to gain enough support, with concerns over safeguards and moral objections dominating the debate.
But campaigners hope that Scotland’s maturing debate on end-of-life care, the evolving stance of some politicians, and growing public awareness may yield a different outcome this time.
What Happens Next
If the bill clears stage one, it will enter a committee phase, where potential amendments — including changes to eligibility criteria, procedural oversight, or definitions of terminal illness — can be debated and revised. A final stage three vote would determine whether the bill becomes law.
But with a razor-thin margin expected and high emotional stakes, both sides acknowledge that today’s debate and vote will be pivotal.
