Local MSP's opposition to Assisted Suicide Bill
A Highland MSP has explained his opposition to the Assisted Suicide Scotland Bill after this week’s crucial vote at Holyrood.
Dave Thompson, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch registered his criticisms in Parliament as part of a debate on the Bill and went on to oppose the proposal, which MSPs went on to reject by 82 votes to 36.
The Bill’s intention was to allow those with terminal illnesses to seek the help of a doctor to end their own life.
Mr Thompson said: “This Bill has drawn strong views from all over my constituency and in Scotland as a whole and I respect all of those opinions. However, on consideration of the merits of the Bill, I voted against and I am pleased that the proposal was defeated.”
He had lost close family members to breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, stroke, dementia and suicide, he said, “Therefore I am aware of how dreadfully upsetting the whole process for the individual and the family can be.
“I have a Christian faith but that was not my reason for opposing the Bill, although there were significant moral, theological and spiritual reasons to oppose it”.
He went on: “I accept that it is difficult to argue against a person retaining control of their fate, as their health declines.
“However, my concern is that the desired effect of taking control would not be achieved, as control would be placed in the hands of a third party.
“It is important to bear in mind that whilst most people are good, many are not, and I fear that the affected person might succumb to pressures to end their life from selfish or financially motivated parties, or even from innate pressures that build, as the person feels like a burden on those around them”.
