Assisted Dying

I have devoted considerable time to engaging with this complex, sensitive, and deeply personal issue. Over recent months, I have spoken directly with many constituents, including at a public discussion in St Andrews that I hosted alongside Willie Rennie. I also recently attended a briefing with medical professionals, palliative care representatives, and families with lived experience to hear a range of perspectives on the issue.

I am grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views with me. I have been struck by the sincerity, compassion, and thoughtfulness shown by people on all sides of the debate.

As the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to Parliament, there are a number of important questions that will need careful consideration. Given the significance of the issues involved, I will be paying close attention to the level of scrutiny and debate the Bill receives as it progresses through Parliament.

When the Bill was considered during the last Parliament, I concluded that, as a Scottish MP, it would not be appropriate for me to prevent legislation that applied solely to England and Wales. For that reason, I chose to actively abstain from the final vote. This involved walking through both voting lobbies, a formal parliamentary way of registering my position.

Since then, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, introduced by my Scottish Liberal Democrat colleague Liam McArthur MSP, has been considered by the Scottish Parliament and ultimately did not pass into law.

My reflections on the previous Bill were less about the principle of assisted dying itself and more about the legislative process. For an issue of such profound ethical, legal, and medical significance, I believe Parliament must be satisfied that all relevant evidence has been fully considered and that a wide range of expert voices have been heard. In particular, I believe there is value in ensuring meaningful engagement with healthcare professionals, the Royal College, palliative care specialists, legal experts, disability groups, and those with direct lived experience. How any legislation would be managed within the NHS and interact with related services is also something that merits consideration.

As things stand, I have not yet reached a final decision on how I will vote when the Bill returns to the House of Commons. I intend to attend the Second Reading debate on 11 September and will continue listening carefully to constituents, experts, and stakeholders before making my decision.

I will continue to follow developments closely, and I remain committed to approaching this issue with the care and consideration it deserves.