First Minister John Swinney won't support assisted dying vote

John Swinney will not support assisted dying legislation giving terminally ill patients the right to end their own lives.

Speaking days before Holyrood has its say on the Bill, the First Minister revealed he would not vote in favour of it becoming law.

He set out three reasons for his personal decision. First, Swinney is concerned the bill would “alter the relationship” between patients and doctors in a “irrevocable and detrimental fashion”.

Second, he is concerned that those who are “most vulnerable in our society and those who may consider themselves a burden to their families or to the state” may feel “undue pressure” to end their life prematurely.

“I’ve read carefully the views of many individuals and organisations on this point and I can see no means of avoiding such a situation emerging in relation to the bill,” Swinney said.

Lastly, the First Minister said he’s “not sufficiently confident” that there will be no further development or expansion of the assisted dying provision than is intended by the current Parliament.

“I’ve listened to the cases of great suffering recounted to me by the loved ones of constituents of mine who suffered greatly at the end of their lives,” Swinney told reporters.

“They have pleaded with me to support this bill so others don’t suffer as their loved ones suffered. I’m sorry I can’t respond positively to the please of those individuals for whom I have the greatest respect.”

Frankly, Swinney said it’s the suffering of those individuals that he said could have persuaded him to the support the bill.

“But what I take from that is that I as First Minister have an obligation to ensure people are supported during end of life care to the greatest extent possible in order to alleviate that suffering,” Swinney said.

“Whether this legislation ultimately passes or not, that is an obligation I take incredibly seriously and it’s a matter my government will take forward in what ever circumstances we face.”

The assisted dying legislation, brought forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, comes before Parliament on Tuesday, May 13.

Swinney has voted against both other attempts to introduce assisted dying in Scotland.

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The debate over assisted dying has reached a critical juncture in Scotland as MSPs prepare to cast their vote on the bill next week.

However, Swinney emphasised that he has only “one vote in the parliamentary consideration of this issue”.

Other MSPs from all parties – including SNP Ministers – will be free to vote as they please on this issue.

The proposals would give people 18 and over at an advanced stage of a terminal illness the option of requesting help to end their life.

On one side, assisted dying advocates say people should have the freedom to choose a dignified death.

On the other, opponents say the bill could be too big a step and too concerning for vulnerable individuals.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said on Wednesday that he will be voting against the bill next week as well.

“I think instead of this approach, we should be looking at how we properly deliver quality palliative care across the country,” he said.

The upcoming vote at Holyrood will be the third time MSPs have considered the issue – and a vote against the general principles of the legislation on May 13 would mean that McArthur’s Bill would not proceed any further.

Swinney said he voted against both other attempts “without any doubt in my mind”.

“I have found the handling of the issue at this moment much more difficult to reconcile in my own mind, and I think that is a tribute to Liam McArthur, who has constructed a much better Bill and the many representations I hear about this issue,” Swinney said earlier in the week.