McArthur urges MPs to back assisted dying bill

Speaking ahead of the debate and vote on Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill in the UK Parliament, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has urged MPs to back the bill in the first debate and vote on end-of-life choices in the UK Parliament since 2015.

Mr McArthur's own Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is currently undergoing scrutiny from the Scottish Parliament's health committee.

Mr McArthur said:

“Our current laws on assisted dying are failing too many terminally ill people, often leaving them facing an undignified and sometimes painful death despite the very best efforts of palliative care. It is clear that new compassionate and safeguarded laws are required across the UK.

“I know that there are many parliamentarians who are unsure about whether they would personally take the choice of an assisted death should the law change. I would urge them to consider, however, whether it is right that they deny that choice to others who might find themselves facing the prospect of a difficult, undignified and possibly painful death.

“Polling shows that an overwhelming majority of the public want to see the law changed for people who are terminally ill and have the mental capacity to make that choice. More important though is to listen to the personal stories of those with a terminal condition and the families who have seen loved ones die in pain or distress and beyond the reach of palliative care.

“Kim Leadbeater has been an eloquent and determined champion for dying people seeking choice at the end of life and regardless of the result, she deserves praise for the manner in which she has led this debate.

“I hope tomorrow that MPs will vote to give people who are terminally ill that compassionate option.”