Suicide: Create hope through action

Gordon MacDonald

The theme of last Sunday's World Suicide Prevention Day was 'Create Hope Through Action'. Gordon MacDonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, writes:

In an interview published last week, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf said of assisted suicide proposals: "My view has always been to be open minded to the discussion, but I have not been persuaded and I feel even less persuaded after a recent discussion with… a whole group of… people with disabilities. They were incredibly strong in their opposition to assisted dying, given that they felt that they would be the ones, as they described it, that would be the thin end of the wedge when it came to assisted dying. They were really worried, particularly after COVID… and put forward a very passionate plea to me as First Minister not to support assisted dying."

The Scottish Health Secretary, Michael Matheson, declared soon after that he is opposed to legalising assisted suicide. Reports also noted the opposition of Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, and the concerns of Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar.

As we await publication of Liam McArthur's Holyrood bill and the Commons Health Committee assisted suicide inquiry report, these are encouraging signs. Still, assisted suicide activists continue to lobby parliamentarians across Britain vociferously, and not all elected representatives can be reached by groups like us or (as above) the Glasgow Disability Alliance (who have today doubled down on their warnings). They need to hear from their constituents - from you.

Supporters in Scotland: will you write a letter or email to your MSP, letting them know why they should oppose Liam McArthur MSP's assisted suicide bill? See your MSPs' contact details here https://carenotkilling.scot/your-msps/

Supporters elsewhere in the UK: will you write a letter or email to your MP, who will soon be asked to consider a report on assisted suicide from the Health Committee, letting them know why you oppose legalising assisted suicide? See your MP's contact details here https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons

Many MPs and MSPs have not firmly made up their minds on the issue. Please take time to contact those who represent you to make your voice heard and help influence the debate, and do please feed any responses back to us.

Care Not Killing - www.carenotkilling.org.uk/