16-05-2025
Daughter of Lanarkshire firefighter who researched taking his own life welcomes result of MSPs' assisted dying vote
Robert Easton endured a long drawn-out and painful death from cancer in 2021
The daughter of a firefighter from Lanarkshire who researched ways to take his own life when he was terminally ill has welcomed the vote in favour of assisted dying.
MSPs voted 70 to 56 at Holyrood on Wednesday in favour of the first reading of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced to parliament by Liam McArthur MSP.
Joanne Easton, from Wishaw, whose dad died in June, 2021 a day before his 70th birthday, is both relieved and delighted that the Bill will progress.
'It was relief more than anything, as there was a bit of fear that it wasn't going to get enough support,' she said. 'There has been a lot of misinformation and a few [MSPs] came out beforehand and said they'd be voting against it.'
Joanne's dad Robert Easton endured a painful and drawn-out death after being diagnosed with cancer.
She urged MSPs to listen to the vast majority of constituents who are strongly in favour of people being given the choice. A recent poll suggested only 15 per cent of the Scottish population opposed the introduction of an assisted dying law.
Joanne continued: 'There are two main issues of opposition. The first one is burden, the other is coercion. They talk about people being a burden and being pressurised into ending their lives. My dad did not want to be a burden, it was the last thing he wanted. But burden is spoken about as if it's a dirty word and something awful.
"A loved-one who doesn't want to be a burden – that's coming from a place of love from a dying person, they naturally want to protect their loved ones. It's not something people should be ashamed of. There has to be a sea-change on the thinking around the word burden.
'When MSPs vote against the Bill they are effectively taking away people's choice.
'Coercion – you just need to look at the evidence. MSPs need to do the research. I'm not an MSP but I've done my research. In Oregon, for example, there's not been one case of coercion and when you actually speak to experts they say it's the opposite and people are being coerced out of it by family members.
'It's disappointing that MSPs aren't listening to the experts and following the evidence, and doing the critical thinking.'
Joanne's dad considered travelling to Switzerland where assisted dying is legal but cost and other issues ruled it out. He then researched methods of taking his own life, some of which were brutal.
His death was drawn out an painful, and he took over three weeks to die in hospital and then a hospice.
Joanne accepts she can see the other side of the argument, especially when it comes to people with disabilities but insists she's not blinkered.
'I can see why disabled have concerns as they have so much they have to overcome in life, including pain and illness.
'I would never completely disregard the concerns of anyone but it's wrong to deny the right of choice to people just through fear of what might happen. This would only affect disabled people who are terminally ill, not just someone with a disability. Amendments to the Bill at the next stage will look at tightening up the definition of 'terminally ill'.'
MSPs with Lanarkshire constituents who voted in favour of the Bill were Monica Lennon, Gillian Mackay, Stephanie Callaghan, Màiri McAllan and Collette Stevenson. Those who voted against were Clare Adamson, Clare Haughey, Fulton McGregor, Graham Simpson, Mark Griffin, and Richard Leonard. Neil Gray as Health Secretary abstained from the vote.
Monica Lennon MSP for Central Scotland who voted in favour of the Bill cited the plight of Joanne's dad in a Meeting of the Parliament as part of the reasoning behind her decision.
'I am grateful to every constituent who has contacted me with their views on assisted dying and end of life choices.
'It was a thoughtful and respectful debate, where I set out my reasons for voting for the general principles of the Assisted Dying Bill at Stage 1.
'No one should suffer needlessly at the end of life. I was deeply moved by the story of Robert Easton, a firefighter from Hamilton, who endured a painful death. His daughter's words were heartbreaking, and they reflect what too many families go through.
'I believe in fairness and compassion. Right now, only the wealthy can access assisted dying abroad. That's not right. This Bill is about giving ordinary Scots the same choice, with strong safeguards in place. It isn't about replacing palliative care, it's about adding another option for those who need it.
"I'll keep fighting for better hospice funding too. Terminally-ill adults deserve dignity, autonomy, and the right to make the end of life choices that are right for them.'
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