Scottish lawmakers reject bill to let terminally ill people end their lives

The Scottish Parliament rejected a bill on Tuesday that would have legalized assisted dying for terminally ill adults in Scotland. The vote, held in Edinburgh after a three-hour emotional debate, was 69 against and 57 in favor, with one abstention. The proposed legislation, drafted by Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur, would have allowed individuals with six months or less to live to seek assistance in ending their lives. Lawmakers were granted a free vote on the bill, allowing them to vote according to their conscience. Had it passed, Scotland would have been the first part of the United Kingdom to legalize assisted dying.

The Scottish parliament voted against legalizing assisted dying in Scotland on Tuesday, with 69 MSPs voting against and 57 in favor. The vote followed four days of debate and a previous vote in May 2023 that allowed the bill to proceed for scrutiny. Liam McArthur, a Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP, proposed the bill and made concessions, including limiting access to those with six months to live, in an attempt to gain support. Opponents, including religious groups, raised concerns about the protection of disabled and infirm people from coercion. The defeat of the bill means no part of the UK will have legalized assisted dying in the near future, as a similar bill in England and Wales is also expected to fail.