Overview

• The Stage 1 vote at Holyrood will determine if the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill proceeds to further scrutiny and amendment.
• First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and other prominent MSPs have announced opposition, citing concerns over coercion and societal impact.
• Public polling shows majority support for the principle of assisted dying but highlights fears about potential abuse and the timing alongside welfare cuts.
• The Bill includes safeguards such as assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period, but critics warn of a potential slippery slope based on international examples.
• Demonstrations by both supporters and opponents are planned outside Holyrood, reflecting the deeply divided public and political opinion on the issue.