“This issue will have to be addressed” – Carmichael speaks in parliamentary debate on assisted dying

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael has spoken in Parliament on the need for greater discussion on the UK-wide level about the development of legislation on assisted dying. Mr Carmichael spoke during a debate on assisted dying in Parliament secured by public petition, held on Monday.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur, last month published his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. The aim of the bill is to enable mentally competent adults with an advanced, progressive terminal illness to be provided with assistance to end their life at their request. The development of the bill has been supported by the campaign groups Dignity in Dying, Friends at the End and Humanist Society Scotland.

MRP polling conducted on behalf of Dignity in Dying has revealed that a majority of Scots in every Scottish parliamentary constituency back a change in the law.

Speaking during the debate in Parliament, Mr Carmichael said:

“Is not the truth of the matter that the debate will continue whether we have it here or not? My colleague Liam McArthur has a Bill going through the Scottish Parliament at the moment. Similar legislation is being considered in the Isle of Man and in the Channel Islands. This issue will have to be addressed. Either we do that in our own time, with our own measured, reasoned debate, or we risk having decisions made for us.”

Responding, Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi said:

“I fully accept the right hon. Gentleman’s point that the law is changing in other countries and in parts of the UK. It is important to consider that, and to look at what is done well and not so well. It is for us in this place to consider this matter fully when the opportunity arises.”

Reacting after the debate, Mr Carmichael said:

“We need to have a proper, transparent debate on this issue – it is not going away.

“Personally I think it should not be impossible to get sufficient safeguards in place and independent monitoring so that those safeguards are properly implemented. We need a recognition that, because we have a public policy of not prosecuting people for pursuing assisted dying elsewhere, it has already been effectively legalised for those who have the resources to travel to Switzerland. Proper palliative care has to be part of the solution as well – we cannot have one without the other.”