SNP councillors vote against Frank’s Law

Widow ‘appalled’ by decision as party group focused on nuclear weapons

Amanda Kopel has been left “appalled” after SNP councillors in Falkirk voted against Frank’s Law – and blamed nuclear weapons.

The exchange happened after Falkirk Council’s SNP members went against a Labour group motion to ask the Scottish Government to back Frank’s Law.

SNP councillor David Alexander tabled an amendment which asked the council to note “the real health benefits provided by the Scottish Government to mitigate the impact of Tory austerity policies”.

The amendment asked the council to agree to declare that “given the choice of quality healthcare or weapons of mass destruction, this council urges the cancellation of the £200 billion renewal of Trident nuclear weapons system”.

However, they eventually removed the paragraph on weapons of mass destruction after suffering “endless ridicule in the chamber”.

The motion to back Frank’s Law and write to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was passed despite SNP members all voting with the amendment.

Mrs Kopel said: “I’m appalled and extremely disappointed at the SNP councillors voting against such an important issue which affects every person under the age of 65 in Scotland.

“Both are extremely important issues but certainly should not be compared with each other. It’s okay to follow the party lines, but when it comes to being told how to vote, democracy has gone right out the window.”

Picture: Kim Cessford. Amanda Kopel and late husband Frank who suffered from dementia from the age of 59.