Assisted Dying and Scottish Politics

I watched the BBC drama 'Mayflies' recently which tells the story of a man dying from cancer who wishes to end his life without being forced to wait for the inevitable, drawn out end.

Mayflies is based on a true story and a book of the same name by Andrew O'Hagan.

Moving, funny, thoughtful and powerful with great performances from Tony Curran as the dying man (Tully), Martin Compston as his best friend and Ashley Jensen who captures perfectly the terrible dilemma facing Tully's partner who becomes his wife. 

As I watched the final scenes I couldn't but reflect on the irony that the vast majority of Scots (opinion polls say around 80%) agree with Tully about the need for a properly regulated assisted dying scheme which protects the vulnerable from abuse and exploitation.

Yet few would think the Scottish Parliament is capable of passing legislation with all-party support under its present leadership who are far too busy trying to impose an unpopular Self-ID law which two-thirds of Scots vigorously oppose.

I imagine if Nicola Sturgeon turned her energies towards assisted dying the SNP leader would simply use the issue to pick yet another unnecessary fight with Westminster. 



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