On March 17, 2026, the Scottish Parliament voted against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, with 69 votes against and 57 in favor. This bill sought to allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults in Scotland the option of an assisted death, a proposal that has garnered significant public interest and support.
The bill’s journey began with its passage through Stage 1 in May 2025, where it received 70 votes in favor and 56 against. During its public consultation, it attracted over 14,000 responses, marking the largest engagement for any Members’ Bill in Scottish Parliament history. Despite this strong backing, the final vote reflected a divided opinion among lawmakers.
To qualify for assisted dying under the proposed legislation, individuals would need to be terminally ill with six months or fewer left to live, have resided in Scotland for at least 12 months, be registered with a Scottish GP, and possess mental capacity. The bill included a 14-day reflection period, which could be reduced to 48 hours if death was imminent.
Support for assisted dying remains robust among the public, with recent polling indicating that 78% of Scots favor a change in the law. The number of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) supporting assisted dying has also increased significantly, from just 18 in 2010 to 57 in 2026.
Advocates for the bill expressed deep disappointment following the vote. Sarah Wootton, CEO of Dignity in Dying, stated, “This result will be painfully felt by the dying people who want this choice, and the overwhelming majority of Scots who support a change in the law.” Norma Rivers, a terminally ill advocate, added, “For people like me living with terminal illness, today’s result is incredibly difficult to hear. But knowing that Parliament came so close to changing the law gives me hope.”
Andrew Copson, another advocate, criticized the decision, saying, “MSPs have failed suffering people and their families and denied the people of Scotland the compassionate choices that many around the world already benefit from.”
Despite the setback, the debate on assisted dying is expected to return to the Scottish Parliament in the future, as public support continues to grow. Legislatures in Jersey and the Isle of Man have already approved assisted dying laws, highlighting a shifting landscape in the approach to end-of-life choices.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any future legislative efforts, but the strong public backing suggests that the conversation surrounding assisted dying in Scotland is far from over.
