Bill to legalise assisted suicide passes first vote

News
May 12, 2025

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A bill to legalise doctor-assisted suicide has passed an initial vote at The Scottish Parliament.

The first-stage vote passed by 70 votes to 56 and needs two more phases of parliamentary scrutiny before it could become law.

Bishop Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference said: “I am deeply disappointed that our Parliament has taken the first step to permit the state to provide vulnerable people with the means to end their lives prematurely.

“Many MSPs, however, expressed significant reservations about the terms of Liam McArthur’s Bill.

“I hope and pray that MSPs will take time to reflect very carefully on these concerns and reject the Bill before it is passed into law.”

Paul Atkin, Pro-Life Officer for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, said: “I know many disabled people and their carers who are terrified of this Bill so it is disappointing that a majority of MSPs didn’t listen to their concerns.

“However only eight MSPs need to change their minds to prevent this dangerous legislation and many said they voted for it only to let the debate continue.

“Democracy is a numbers game, particularly with an election due next year, so I’d encourage Catholics to thank those MSPs who voted against the Bill and to share concerns with those who still support assisted suicide.

“The easiest way is to use https://writetothem.com

Archdiocesan MSPs who voted FOR assisted suicide

Jamie Hepburn – Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Shirley-Anne Somerville – Dunfermline
Paul McLennan – East Lothian
Angus Robertson – Edinburgh Central
Ben Macpherson – Edinburgh Northern and Leith
Gordon MacDonald – Edinburgh Pentlands
Daniel Johnson – Edinburgh Southern
Alex Cole-Hamilton – Edinburgh Western
Rachael Hamilton – Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Michelle Thomson – Falkirk East
David Torrance – Kirkcaldy
Fiona Hyslop- Linlithgow
Jenny Gilruth – Mid Fife and Glenrothes
Colin Beattie – Midlothian North and Musselburgh
Christine Grahame – Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
Evelyn Tweed – Stirling
Rona Mackay – Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Gillian Mackay – Central Scotland
Monica Lennon – Central Scotland
Lorna Slater – Lothian
Miles Briggs – Lothian
Alexander Stewart – Mid Scotland and Fife
Mark Ruskell – Mid Scotland and Fife
Willie Rennie – North East Fife
Brian Whittle – South Scotland
Carol Mochan – South Scotland
Colin Smyth – South Scotland
Emma Harper – South Scotland
Martin Whitfield – South Scotland
Sharon Dowey – South Scotland

Archdiocesan MSPs who voted AGAINST assisted suicide

Angela Constance – Almond Valley
Keith Brown – Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
Annabelle Ewing – Cowdenbeath
Ash Regan – Edinburgh Eastern
Michael Matheson – Falkirk West
Graham Simpson – Central Scotland
Mark Griffin – Central Scotland
Meghan Gallacher – Central Scotland
Richard Leonard – Central Scotland
Stephen Kerr – Central Scotland
Foysol Choudhury – Lothian
Jeremy Balfour – Lothian
Sarah Boyack – Lothian
Sue Webber – Lothian
Alex Rowley – Mid Scotland and Fife
Claire Baker – Mid Scotland and Fife
Elizabeth Smith Mid Scotland and Fife
Murdo Fraser – Mid Scotland and Fife
Roz McCall – Mid Scotland and Fife
Craig Hoy – South Scotland

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