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| MSPs to vote on assisted dying in Scotland | MSPs to vote on assisted dying in Scotland |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Supporters and opponents of assisted dying gathered outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the debate | Supporters and opponents of assisted dying gathered outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the debate |
| For the third time in Scottish parliamentary history, MSPs are to vote on plans to legalise assisted dying. | For the third time in Scottish parliamentary history, MSPs are to vote on plans to legalise assisted dying. |
| The ballot, which would allow terminally-ill adults to seek medical help to end their lives, comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales. | The ballot, which would allow terminally-ill adults to seek medical help to end their lives, comes after MPs voted in favour of similar proposals for England and Wales. |
| Supporters describe the Holyrood bill as a progressive move to ease the suffering of dying Scots. | Supporters describe the Holyrood bill as a progressive move to ease the suffering of dying Scots. |
| Opponents say it would fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society. | Opponents say it would fail to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in society. |
| The proposed legislation would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life - but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors. | The proposed legislation would allow a patient to request medical assistance to end their life - but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors. |
| Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who tabled the bill, recently said the minimum age of people who could seek an assisted death would rise from 16 to 18. | Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, who tabled the bill, recently said the minimum age of people who could seek an assisted death would rise from 16 to 18. |
| He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, he expects the vote to be "tight". | He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, he expects the vote to be "tight". |
| He said: "I'm confident that the mood has change sufficiently in parliament since last we voted on this in 2015. | He said: "I'm confident that the mood has change sufficiently in parliament since last we voted on this in 2015. |
| "There's a recognition that we can't continue to leave dying Scots failed by the ban on assisted dying. We do need to move ahead with reform." | "There's a recognition that we can't continue to leave dying Scots failed by the ban on assisted dying. We do need to move ahead with reform." |
| The Scottish Parliament will hold a free vote on the bill - which means MSPs will not be instructed on how to vote by their parties or the government. | The Scottish Parliament will hold a free vote on the bill - which means MSPs will not be instructed on how to vote by their parties or the government. |
| The stage one vote is on the general principles of the bill. | The stage one vote is on the general principles of the bill. |
| A simple majority of votes in favour (more "yes" votes than "no" votes) would allow it to progress to stage two, where MSPs could propose changes. | A simple majority of votes in favour (more "yes" votes than "no" votes) would allow it to progress to stage two, where MSPs could propose changes. |
| Another vote on the final draft of the bill would be held before it could become legislation. | Another vote on the final draft of the bill would be held before it could become legislation. |
| What happens if there is a no vote? | What happens if there is a no vote? |
| If MSPs do not back the bill at stage one, it will fall. | If MSPs do not back the bill at stage one, it will fall. |
| The ballot, which will follow a debate in the chamber, is expected to be close. | The ballot, which will follow a debate in the chamber, is expected to be close. |
| Dozens of MSPs have declared support or opposition to the bill, though many others are thought to be waiting to hear arguments in parliament before making up their mind. | Dozens of MSPs have declared support or opposition to the bill, though many others are thought to be waiting to hear arguments in parliament before making up their mind. |
| The Scottish government is officially neutral on the matter. | The Scottish government is officially neutral on the matter. |
| First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, however, have said they will not support the bill. | First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, however, have said they will not support the bill. |
| Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur has led the campaign to legalise assisted dying | Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur has led the campaign to legalise assisted dying |
| Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are also opposed, as is Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. | Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are also opposed, as is Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. |
| In a post on Instagram, Sturgeon warned of the potential for "internal coercion", which she described as "a feeling on the part of terminally-ill individuals that others might be better off if they were no longer here". | In a post on Instagram, Sturgeon warned of the potential for "internal coercion", which she described as "a feeling on the part of terminally-ill individuals that others might be better off if they were no longer here". |
| She also raised concerns about trying to define terminal illness in legislation. | She also raised concerns about trying to define terminal illness in legislation. |
| Sturgeon added: "If assisted dying is an option, I worry that many people will choose to die more prematurely than they need to." | Sturgeon added: "If assisted dying is an option, I worry that many people will choose to die more prematurely than they need to." |
| Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood, has been among the most vocal critics of the bill. | Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood, has been among the most vocal critics of the bill. |
| Actress Liz Carr was among those demonstrating against the bill | |
| Speaking on the eve of the vote, McArthur said the legislation had "strict eligibility criteria" with people able to make a choice "in a way that is robustly safeguarded". | Speaking on the eve of the vote, McArthur said the legislation had "strict eligibility criteria" with people able to make a choice "in a way that is robustly safeguarded". |
| The Orkney MSP said: "My bill would put in place safeguards that don't currently exist, a situation that leaves many terminally-ill people more vulnerable and more likely to take matters into their own hands." | The Orkney MSP said: "My bill would put in place safeguards that don't currently exist, a situation that leaves many terminally-ill people more vulnerable and more likely to take matters into their own hands." |
| He added: "Scotland cannot put off this conversation. And parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the 'too difficult' box. | He added: "Scotland cannot put off this conversation. And parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the 'too difficult' box. |
| "It must, at the very least, allow time for amendments to be considered to see if a bill can be agreed that commands majority support and public confidence." | "It must, at the very least, allow time for amendments to be considered to see if a bill can be agreed that commands majority support and public confidence." |
| Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said he would vote in favour of the bill at this stage but said he also had reservations that would have to be addressed before it became law. | Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said he would vote in favour of the bill at this stage but said he also had reservations that would have to be addressed before it became law. |
| The bill has also been backed by Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, ex-Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw and Scottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie. | The bill has also been backed by Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, ex-Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw and Scottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie. |
| Health Secretary Neil Gray, who will speak for the government during the debate, said he would abstain from the vote to maintain neutrality. | Health Secretary Neil Gray, who will speak for the government during the debate, said he would abstain from the vote to maintain neutrality. |
| What does the bill propose? | What does the bill propose? |
| The Bill defines "terminally ill" as someone with an advanced, progressive illness that cannot be cured and is expected to cause early death. While no specific time frame is given, the illness must be in a late stage. | The Bill defines "terminally ill" as someone with an advanced, progressive illness that cannot be cured and is expected to cause early death. While no specific time frame is given, the illness must be in a late stage. |
| Two doctors must confirm that the person meets this definition and has the mental capacity to make the decision. To qualify, a person must be registered with a GP in Scotland, ensuring they are known to the NHS and receiving care. | Two doctors must confirm that the person meets this definition and has the mental capacity to make the decision. To qualify, a person must be registered with a GP in Scotland, ensuring they are known to the NHS and receiving care. |
| The person would need to take the substance themselves, with a healthcare professional present. They can choose when and where to die, and there is no time limit for completing the process. | The person would need to take the substance themselves, with a healthcare professional present. They can choose when and where to die, and there is no time limit for completing the process. |
| The health professional would remain with them until they die. The patient would be asked if they wish to proceed at each step and can change their mind at any time. | The health professional would remain with them until they die. The patient would be asked if they wish to proceed at each step and can change their mind at any time. |
| No one would be forced to take part in assisted dying. If a doctor objected, they would be required to refer the person to another willing doctor. | No one would be forced to take part in assisted dying. If a doctor objected, they would be required to refer the person to another willing doctor. |
| Those who do assist would be protected from legal consequences if they follow the rules. The Scottish Government would decide which drugs can be used. | Those who do assist would be protected from legal consequences if they follow the rules. The Scottish Government would decide which drugs can be used. |
| Westminster bill | Westminster bill |
| A bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales passed its first stage at Westminster in November. | A bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales passed its first stage at Westminster in November. |
| The proposals face months of debate, scrutiny and possible amendments, as well as final approval from the Commons and the Lords, before they could become law. | The proposals face months of debate, scrutiny and possible amendments, as well as final approval from the Commons and the Lords, before they could become law. |
| The most recent Holyrood vote on assisted dying, in 2015, was defeated at stage one by 82 votes to 36. | The most recent Holyrood vote on assisted dying, in 2015, was defeated at stage one by 82 votes to 36. |
| That bill was tabled by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. | That bill was tabled by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. |
| Following her death, the bill was taken up by Harvie, who will again argue in favour of a law change in this year's debate. | Following her death, the bill was taken up by Harvie, who will again argue in favour of a law change in this year's debate. |
| In this debate, politics becomes deeply personal as MSPs draw on end of life experiences from their own families and friendships to inform their decision. | In this debate, politics becomes deeply personal as MSPs draw on end of life experiences from their own families and friendships to inform their decision. |
| Expect some emotional contributions to be made in the Holyrood chamber by politicians on both sides of the argument. | Expect some emotional contributions to be made in the Holyrood chamber by politicians on both sides of the argument. |
| There are those who will have witnessed the deep suffering of terminally ill people in the final stages of life. | There are those who will have witnessed the deep suffering of terminally ill people in the final stages of life. |
| Some will argue these circumstances make the case for there to be an option for patients to seek medical assistance to end their lives. | Some will argue these circumstances make the case for there to be an option for patients to seek medical assistance to end their lives. |
| Others will argue that it is major improvements in palliative care that are needed to ease pain, distress and indignity for those who are close to dying. | Others will argue that it is major improvements in palliative care that are needed to ease pain, distress and indignity for those who are close to dying. |
| This is an agonising decision for many politicians and probably the most important one they will make in this session of the Scottish Parliament. | This is an agonising decision for many politicians and probably the most important one they will make in this session of the Scottish Parliament. |