19 March 2026

Last night, the Scottish Parliament voted against the ‘Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill’ by  69 to 57 votes. The margin was substantially higher than commentators predicted. It was the third time such a bill had been defeated in sixteen years.

Liam McArthur, the Scottish Liberal Democrat, who sponsored the Bill responded defiantly, ‘This issue isn’t going away … the public overwhelmingly want to see a change in the law, so this is coming back.’ Perhaps even in the next Parliamentary session?

One of the most powerful interventions came from a disabled,  Independent MSP, Jeremy Balfour. ‘We cannot legislate for the feeling of being a burden. We cannot legislate for the throwaway comments that make me and others feel that our lives are worth less.’

One of the outcomes of the debate has been the realisation  that the provision of palliative care across Scotland is patchy and this needs to improve. Visiting hospices has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of parish ministry. It is this kind of care and compassion which provides a dignified death.

In addition, there are two other aspects of Scottish life which require our attention. The first is marriage and the strengthening of family life. There has been so much fragmentation over the past sixty years. The church has an opportunity to share Biblical insights on the benefits of nurturing a strong family ties.

The second is the alleviation of loneliness. People who are lonely are vulnerable. Because their lives are not being affirmed by family and friends, they are more likely to devalue themselves. Assisted dying may become  an attractive prospect. But as one of the protester’s placards said, ‘Love never says ‘die!’