Survey shows Scots overwhelmingly back assisted dying, says McArthur

A poll has shown that assisted dying is the “overwhelming will” of Scots, the MSP pushing for those with a terminal illness to be given the right to seek help to end their life has said.

Liam McArthur spoke out after research by the National Centre for Social Research found that just over four out five people in Scotland (81%) want to see assisted dying introduced for those diagnosed with a terminal condition.

Of the 1,494 people surveyed, only 14% said said assisted dying should not be introduced for the terminally ill.

The research comes ahead of Mr McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill reaching its final stage at Holyrood.

MSPs are expected to vote on whether the change should be introduced before Holyrood finishes up next month, ahead of May’s Scottish election.

Referring back to the results of the independence referendum and the vote on Brexit, Mr McArthur said: “In a world of 55-45 and 52-48 votes, this is about as united as you could ever expect Scots to be behind a proposal.”

Speaking about the findings, part of the annual British Social Attitudes survey, the Liberal Democrat MSP said: “What this makes clear is that this isn’t some radical change. It’s the overwhelming will of the Scottish people.”

Mr McArthur urged any MSPs “who are still on the fence” on the issue to work with him “to pass this Bill”.

He said: “We should be focused on what kind of law we want to introduce to give terminally ill Scots the choice of an assisted death.

“This overwhelming demand is not going away. It’s time to get this done, introducing a robust and well-safeguarded law with the clear support of the Scottish people.”

Mr McArthur’s Bill would require two doctors to certify a patient is terminally ill before they could seek help to die, with medics also having to confirm the person has the mental capacity to make such a request.

It is the third time Holyrood has considered legislation to introduce such a change. But while previous Bills were defeated at the first vote, MSPs, last year, backed the general principles of the latest Bill.

Ally Thomson, director of of the campaign group Dignity in Dying Scotland, said the survey findings “are a powerful reminder that the Scottish public has long supported giving dying people the choice and control they desperately need”.

Ms Thomson said: “Without a change in the law, terminally ill Scots facing a bad death are forced to contemplate a series of desperate decisions, from trying to go to Switzerland, stopping eating and drinking, taking matters into their own hands in lonely and often brutal ways, or suffering against their will.

“The most dangerous thing the Parliament can do here is nothing and allow this situation to persist.

“When MSPs voted in favour of Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying Bill at Stage 1 last year, they gave dying Scots and those who had watched a loved one suffer real hope that such suffering will be consigned to the past.

“It’s clear that the public expect the Scottish Parliament to deliver on this issue and pass the Bill next month.”

Emma Cooper, the convener of Friends at the End, added: “It is very clear that there is sustained, overwhelming public support from Scottish people for assisted dying to be introduced in Scotland.

“No one should have to endure a bad death because the law has failed to provide a compassionate choice.

“Too many people have suffered and seen loved ones suffer unnecessarily.

“MSPs should listen to the will of the people and pass this deeply considered and highly safeguarded legislation, rather than listening to misleading information perpetuated by a few loud and misrepresentative voices.”

Dr Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing, which leads opposition to the Bill said: “Our polling shows support drops to just 19% when people consider 10 arguments against assisted dying.

“Two thirds of Scots oppose assisted suicide when they consider how it operates in practice and think about the arguments against it, according to a new opinion poll.

“When presented with 10 arguments against assisted dying, including facts about how it operates overseas, support for assisted suicide among the general population falls to just 19%.”