The Scottish Parliament’s consultation on the assisted suicide Bill has revealed a stark divide among the public, with 49% (10,380) of respondents fully supporting the Bill and 48% (10,120) strongly opposed ¹ ². The Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, aims to allow individuals with terminal illnesses to request assistance from healthcare professionals to end their life. Despite campaigns by assisted suicide groups, the results show no overwhelming support for the Bill.
Concerns raised by opponents include the risk of coercion of vulnerable individuals, devaluing lives of vulnerable groups, and the potential for eligibility criteria to be broadened and safeguards reduced over time ¹ ². These concerns are echoed by Right to Life UK, which argues that support for assisted suicide in Scotland is actually declining. Data from Dignity in Dying shows a drop in strong support from 55% in 2019 to 40% in 2024 ¹ ². Professor David Albert Jones, Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, notes that overall support for assisted suicide is lower when referred to as “assisted suicide” rather than “assisted dying”.
The divide reflects the complexity of the issue, with proponents arguing that assisted dying would provide compassion and dignity for terminally ill individuals, while opponents emphasize the need for safeguards and support for vulnerable populations. As Catherine Robinson of Right To Life UK states, “people in Scotland at the end of their lives need assistance to live, not to die” ¹ ². The consultation’s outcome underscores the need for nuanced consideration and further debate on this critical issue.
 of respondents fully supporting the Bill and 48% (10,120) strongly opposed ¹ ². The Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, aims to allow individuals with terminal illnesses to request assistance from healthcare professionals to end their life. Despite campaigns by assisted suicide groups, the results show no overwhelming support for the Bill.){kind=link}
