Scottish Parliament Rejects Assisted Dying Bill 69-57

The Scottish Parliament voted 69 to 57 on Tuesday evening to reject a bill that would have legalized assisted dying for terminally ill adults, marking the third time such legislation has failed in Holyrood since 2010. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Scotland Bill, sponsored by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, sought to allow mentally competent adults with a terminal illness expected to cause death within six months to request medical assistance to end their lives, subject to safeguards including approval from two doctors and a waiting period.

The defeat came after more than two years of debate, including five sessions in the chamber and over 150 amendments accepted in the final stages. Initial support for the bill had been stronger, with a 70-56 vote at the committee stage last year, but opposition grew as lawmakers examined details on potential coercion, the adequacy of safeguards, and experiences in other countries. Leaders of Scotland's three largest parties ultimately opposed the measure, citing risks to vulnerable people.

McArthur, who had worked on the proposal for five years, expressed disappointment after the vote, describing it as a "woefully inadequate...