Scottish Assisted Dying Bill Rejected in Holyrood Vote
The Scottish assisted dying bill was defeated in a late-night free vote at Holyrood on Tuesday, marking a significant setback for supporters after five years of proposals. The bill was rejected by a larger-than-expected margin of 12 votes, leaving advocates disheartened by the outcome.
Labour MSPs Under Scrutiny for Voting Against Bill
Supporters of the legislation have expressed frustration over the voting patterns of Labour MSPs. Only three out of Scottish Labour's 20 MSPs voted in favour of the bill, with three members switching from yes to no. This contrasts sharply with Labour's substantial support for a similar assisted dying bill in the House of Commons last year, where 224 Labour MPs voted for it and 160 opposed.
Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MSP who tabled and championed the bill, stated he was "devastated" by the result and confirmed he would not reintroduce the legislation after the May election. He highlighted that a majority of MSPs in the parliament recognise the ban on assisted dying leads to "too many bad deaths," yet they backed away from the heavily safeguarded proposal.
Reasons Behind Labour's Opposition
Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, rejected suggestions that MSPs voted against the bill due to the upcoming Holyrood election, asserting there was "absolutely no" whipping or instructions on how to vote. She explained that the three Labour MSPs who changed their votes did so because they believed McArthur's bill lacked adequate safeguards and had alienated medical professionals and palliative care groups.
Baillie also pointed to social demographic factors, noting that many Labour MSPs and MPs represent regions with significant Catholic or Protestant electorates and socially conservative voters. Under Anas Sarwar's leadership, Scottish Labour has adopted more centrist policies, influencing individual stances on such issues.
Impact of Religious and Political Pressures
Monica Lennon, one of the Labour backbenchers who voted yes, comes from a Catholic background and reported being targeted by activists and named in Catholic diocese newsletters. Other MSPs noted receiving disproportionately heavy mail from religious groups opposing the bill.
Daniel Johnson, a Labour MSP who switched to vote no, expressed alarm over the bill's lack of independent tribunals and oversight boards, similar to safeguards in Australian and New Zealand laws. He categorically denied that his vote was influenced by the election, emphasising it was based on policy concerns.
A Liberal Democrat source acknowledged that opposition from SNP and Tory backbenchers contributed to the defeat but remarked on the oddity of Labour's stance, given their overwhelming support in Westminster. McArthur indicated suspicions that Labour's vote was swayed by electoral pressures, as the party faces a challenging Holyrood election in May.
Future Implications and Regrets
McArthur warned that many will "deeply regret" the decision over time, offering little comfort to those hoping for legal change. The defeat highlights ongoing debates over assisted dying in Scotland, with political, religious, and demographic factors shaping the outcome. As the May election approaches, the issue remains contentious, with supporters left to reassess strategies for future legislative efforts.
