Scotland MSP opposes assisted suicide based on "legislative creep"

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Sue Webber MSP

Andrew Learmonth reported for The Herald (Scotland) on January 15 that Sue Webber, who is a senior Tory MSP has changed her position on assisted dying because she does not have confidence that the legislation will be properly scrutinised. Webber, in the past, supported assisted dying but she is now opposed. Learmonth reported.

Sue Webber told The Herald that while the parameters of Lib Dem Liam McArthur’s proposed Bill were narrow, she was anxious about “legislative creep” and parliamentarians passing a Bill that would see safeguards removed in the future.

Webber's concerns are not unfounded considering the Canada's experience where euthanasia was legalized in 2016 and expanded in 2021. Canada is now planning to implement euthanasia for people with mental illness. In the US most states that have legalized assisted suicide have now expanded the parameters of their legislation. "Legislative creep" as Webber calls it, is not a theory, but a reality with euthanasia.

Learmouth reported Ms Webber, who is the Convenor of Holyrood's Education, Children and Young People Committee, as saying:

“I was pro-assisted dying until I got in here. It's the reality of the fact that my vote actually makes a difference now. When I was out I could have an opinion, but there was actually no consequence to that opinion.“

“I'm in here now. And being in that role of legislating I don't think I would be able to feel comfortable knowing that one person has died because of a decision that I've taken.“

Learmouth further reported Webber as stating:

“But this Parliament right now hasn't got the best record of safeguarding in legislation,” she said. “So my confidence in us as a Parliament isn't there.”

The MSP added: “If you allow one group to ask to die, then what's to stop another group saying no, no, we need to let these group of patients people pass.

“And a wee amendment here, whatever it is, before you know, it's not the legislation that we passed.”

Learmouth reported Liam McArthur, the sponsor of the assisted dying bill as stating:

“No country that has introduced the type of narrow law proposed for Scotland has ever expanded its eligibility beyond terminally ill people."

I guess McArthur hasn't heard about Canada.

More articles on similar topics:

• Canada's euthanasia law. We've already gone too far (Link).
• Canada has revealed the horror of assisted dying (Link).
• The assisted suicide lobby passes restrictive assisted suicide bills and expands them later (Link).