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Most MSPs oppose end-of-life bill Most MSPs oppose end-of-life bill
(10 minutes later)
Most MSPs are opposed to plans to allow terminally ill people to seek help to die at a time of their choosing, a BBC Scotland survey has suggested.Most MSPs are opposed to plans to allow terminally ill people to seek help to die at a time of their choosing, a BBC Scotland survey has suggested.
Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who has Parkinson's disease, has brought a bill to the Scottish Parliament.Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who has Parkinson's disease, has brought a bill to the Scottish Parliament.
A survey of two-thirds of MSPs showed 17 supported the bill, 53 said they were against and 20 were undecided.A survey of two-thirds of MSPs showed 17 supported the bill, 53 said they were against and 20 were undecided.
Ms MacDonald said the results were better than expected and she was hopeful of winning further support.Ms MacDonald said the results were better than expected and she was hopeful of winning further support.
MSPs are expected to vote on the bill for the first time in the autumn, with the legislation decided in a "free vote", rather than along party lines.MSPs are expected to vote on the bill for the first time in the autumn, with the legislation decided in a "free vote", rather than along party lines.
Progressive condition The survey, carried out by BBC Scotland's Politics Show, asked MSPs the question: "Are you, in principle, for or against the End-of-Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill that has been put forward by Margo Macdonald?"
The survey, carried out by BBC Scotland's Politics Show, asked MSPs the question: "Are you, in principle, for or against the End-of-Life Assistance (Scotland) bill that has been put forward by Margo Macdonald?" SURVEY RESULTS MSPs were asked: "Are you, in principle, for or against the End-of-Life Assistance Bill?"For - 17Against - 53Undecided - 20Based on 90 replies out of 129 MSPs
The answers were given on an anonymous basis.The answers were given on an anonymous basis.
Ms MacDonald said most MSPs had not yet read the bill.
She added: "That looks as though there are 17 people out of the 90 who are absolutely convinced of the case already, which is further on than I thought it would be."
Asked if the legislation could win majority support, the Independent Lothian MSP, said: "I think we could perhaps - but whether or not we can win a majority of votes is another question.
"There is pressure being put on people but once the public, who are overwhelmingly in favour of this, start getting in touch with their MSPs, there will be MSPs, I think, taking some feeling of support from that, and they'd be much more likely to vote for the provisions of the bill."
While it is not illegal to attempt suicide in Scotland, helping someone take their own life could lead to prosecution.While it is not illegal to attempt suicide in Scotland, helping someone take their own life could lead to prosecution.
Lothian MSP Ms MacDonald's bill would allow people whose lives become intolerable through a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma or terminal illness to seek a doctor's help in dying. The End-of-Life Assistance Bill would allow people whose lives become intolerable through a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma or terminal illness to seek a doctor's help in dying.
The bill has also proposed a series of safeguards to prevent abuse of the legislation, should it become law.The bill has also proposed a series of safeguards to prevent abuse of the legislation, should it become law.