A BILL to legalise assisted dying in Scotland could finally become law next year at its fourth attempt, the MSP behind it said.
Lib Dem Liam McArthur believes the bid to allow terminally ill people to end their life early has at least twice as many parly backers as it did when last rejected at Holyrood.
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The Orkney politician, who is spearheading the proposed legislation, told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: “The mood feels very different this time.
“The volume of strong supporters is far greater. But even those who are wavering seem to be looking for reassurance — looking for reasons to support this rather than oppose.”
The issue returned to the spotlight after TV legend Dame Esther Rantzen, 83, who has terminal cancer, revealed she plans to end her life at the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland.
And last week Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party was “committed” to bringing a vote on assisted dying in the next UK parliament.
Currently it is illegal in Scotland to help someone to end their own life.
Mr McArthur’s draft Bill is likely to be published in the next two weeks — and could become law in late 2025. It would require two doctors to sign off on a course of action.
The life-ending drugs would then have to be taken by the person involved — who would need to have mental capacity to make the final decision.
Mr McArthur told how was been inspired by watching his Lib Dem colleague Jeremy Purvis lead a members’ debate at Holyrood on assisted dying almost 20 years ago.
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He said: “It was an example of serious parliamentarians wrestling with serious complex issues in a way that was respectful and measured.”
Mr Purvis’s failed effort was followed by a further two attempts to pass legislation on the issue by independent MSP Margo McDonald.
When her proposals were last voted on in 2015 they were backed by 36 MSPs, including Mr McArthur. They were defeated by 82 votes against.
But around two thirds of current members were not in Holyrood then. And Mr McArthur is convinced many who opposed the Bill have had a change of heart.
He believes he has the backing of around 70 MSPs — enough to usher in a transformational change in how Scots can access end-of-life care.
One reason for some politicians’ U-turns is they now have less fear of the “electoral peril” of not heeding pressure from religious groups, who have consistently led the opposition to assisted dying. Mr McArthur said: “If you fast forward to now, that has changed beyond recognition.”
He highlighted First Minister Humza Yousaf, who voted against the law change in 2015 and previously said his opposition hardened after speaking to disability groups.
The Lib Dem revealed he’s had several chats with the SNP leader, who admitted he remained “conflicted” over the issue.
But he said Mr Yousaf spoke about his own experience caring for an uncle who had terminal pancreatic cancer.
Mr McArthur explained: “From a faith perspective, I think he feels that this is not necessarily something he can support. But just as his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon has described herself since the last time this was debated in parliament, he’s been on a journey.”
He said others who have been on a similar “journey” included former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and former Scots Tory supremo Ruth Davidson.
The MSP added: “That has led them from a position of opposition to support. I don’t think Humza is yet at that point but I’ve not lost all hope of persuading him.
“That in itself is telling because it’s not just that there has been a change of personnel. Even among those MSPs who did debate and vote on it last time round, I think there has been a movement.”
Mr McArthur said hearing personal stories from those impacted by terminal illness had hardened his resolve to bring forward the Bill — as did medics dropping their long-held and firm opposition.
He also highlighted how some existing approaches to end-of-life care, such as sedation or increasing pain medication, is often not well understood. Such treatments can often speed up death.
The politician continued: “I think the more honest we can be about this debate and what a good death looks like, the better.
“It will shine a light on stuff that happens now which perhaps isn’t as understood as it might be.”
He also rejected claims assisted dying could legitimise suicide.
Mr McArthur said the mindset of those wanting to kill themselves was “very very different” to those with terminal illnesses.
He insisted: “These are people who have been told they are going to die, and the vast majority want to make sure they eke the most out of the days, weeks or months they have left.”
Asked what he’d say to those still unsure, he said a law change would provide “a choice and a measure of control” as people approach death.
The MSP said: “It needs to sit alongside palliative care — as part of a range of options to be used at different stages as somebody gets closer to the point of dying.”
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Around 30 per cent who initially opt for assisted dying end up not taking advantage of it, he revealed.
Mr McArthur said: “You can see how it can provide an insurance policy should things get too much to bear. But for the vast majority, palliative care support is sufficient to meet their needs.”
