John Swinney opposes assisted dying Bill ahead of Holyrood vote

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has announced he will vote against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, despite acknowledging it as a much improved proposal compared to previous attempts. The legislation, introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, seeks to allow terminally ill adults aged 18 and over to request medical assistance to end their lives, contingent on mental fitness confirmed by two doctors. Swinney expressed concerns about the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship and the risk of vulnerable individuals feeling pressured to end their lives prematurely. He described his decision as an "incredibly difficult" and "finely balanced judgement," influenced, in part, by his Christian faith. Other politicians, including Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, also oppose the bill, emphasizing the importance of improving palliative care instead. The upcoming vote in the Scottish Parliament will determine whether the bill proceeds, with MSPs allowed to vote according to their conscience.