STEWART PATERSON

HOLYROOD WEEK

THIS week saw the Scottish Parliament debate assisted suicide.

It was a free vote with no pressure from party whips allowing members to vote according to their own conscience.

Many MPS spoke eloquently, obviously informed by the arguments on both sides, before explaining why they were voting for or against.

Our politicians were free to speak their mind and not expected to repeat arguments or sound bites dreamed up by party leaders or spin doctors.

We had Labour, Conservative and SNP members arguing opposite points of view from their colleagues and all producing sound reasons for their decision.

It showed our MSPs in a very good light and we were able to see them for the intelligent, articulate, respectful and responsible citizens they really are.

The decision they faced was as serious as it gets.

They had the responsibility of deciding whether or not an individual should have the right to request assistance to allow them to die at a time of their choosing in the event of a terminal condition.

They decided against, but what the debate showed was the decision of each MSP was taken only after serious consideration of the pros and cons of the Bill, evidence from other countries and of the moral and ethical arguments on both sides.

All views were given respect in the debate, which was passionate and forthright, which is in contrast to the many occasions in the debating chamber when the behaviour is at best petty and at worst disgraceful. Less than 24 hours later, First Minister’s Questions was business as usual with heckling and jeering during questions and clapping on demand from backbenchers to the most mundane of responses from their leader.

If a free vote has that positive, liberating effect on our politicians then let’s have more of them and the politicians might be able to earn the respect from the public that their elected position deserves.

That must be preferable to the party squabbling that leads to otherwise decent people resorting to reprehensible behaviour, like lying about opponents in order to score political points and gain advantage in elections.

Many episodes have turned people off politics and politicians in recent years but more recently we have had a change in the political climate with greater engagement which places greater responsibility on elected politicians.

The assisted suicide debate showed they are capable.

We just need to see it more often.

All views were given respect in the debate, which was passionate and forthright