THE Scottish government faced criticisms today for failing to help disabled and vulnerable people live with dignity after assisted dying legislation passed its first parliamentary hurdle at Holyrood.

MSPs backed the general principles of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill by 70 votes to 56.

The Bill, which was proposed by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, needs to clear two more phases of parliamentary scrutiny in the Scottish Parliament before it can become law.

The Scottish committee of the Communist Party said that the legislation must be considered in its material and economic context.

“That context is one of the Scottish government failing to protect the most vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic, presiding over worsening NHS provision, constantly cutting community resources, reducing palliative care, and creating increasing isolation for elderly and disabled people,” it said.

“Many people will feel like a burden. They will be coerced into choosing state-sanctioned death.

“We are told that death is a compassionate choice, while they simultaneously fail to make life worth living.

“We desperately need better health and social care. We need better social security, so that disabled and elderly people are not forced to choose ‘warm house’ or ‘warm food’.

“The Bill’s supporters talk about choice, but the real option is living with dignity.

“Communists will continue to fight to make all our lives worth living.”

Mr McArthur, who is the third MSP in Holyrood’s history to table a Bill on assisted dying, said he understood there would always be opposition to the legislation.

“This is about putting in place more choice, it’s not about any obligation,” he told BBC Radio Scotland.

“Indeed, for medical practitioners, I think there needs to be a robust conscientious objection to ensure that their choices are respected.”