Scottish parliament rules out assisted suicide for second time

Scotland yesterday voted against becoming the first part of the UK to legalise assisted suicide. The Scottish parliament at Holyrood, in Edinburgh, rejected the Assisted Suicide Bill, which would have allowed those with terminal illnesses to seek the help of doctors to end their own lives, by 82 votes to 36.

Supporters said the proposal had public backing, citing polls suggesting that almost a quarter of Scots supported legalising assisted suicide. But critics argued a change in the law would be unethical. This is the second time Scotland has ruled out assisted suicide.

Shadow of Margo MacDonald

Yesterday’s debate was conducted in the shadow of the death of Margo MacDonald, the Independent member of the Scottish parliament (MSP) and Parkinson’s sufferer, who tried unsuccessfully to change the law five years ago. She died in April last year.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who took the bill forward on MacDonald's behalf, said that a "very clear" case had been made for a change in the law.

Members of the Scottish parliament were given a free vote, but ahead of yesterday’s debate Holyrood’s health committee said there were “significant flaws” in the Bill.

Health secretary Shona Robison, of the Scottish National Party, said the Bill had insufficient safeguards and that, instead, "everyone should receive high-quality palliative care. We must focus on that".