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. 



Popular posts from this blog

Kentucky Fried Seagull

Hugh Fearnley Whitingstall is one of my favourite - and endearingly bonkers - TV chefs. The River Cottage chef has a some imaginative ideas for adding seagulls to the national diet - including a recipe for Kentucky Fried Seagull - would you believe. Here's what HFW has to say on the subjecy -  I think I'll contact Hugh - and ask if he'll join the TAPAS campaign. "Vermin with wings? Chicken of the sea? Or just an opportunity missed?" "First and foremost, before we all go on a mad seagull killing frenzy. In the U.K it is against the law to kill seagulls or interfere with their nests under the countryside and wildlife act. Some Councils are allowed to cull them however, and usually do this by either poisoning or shooting them. How to catch your seagull. Remember this is against the law in the U.K. I don't want the Men in Blue knocking at the door because someone said that Foodimum told them it was okay to catch and eat seagulls. It isn...
Read more

Can Anyone Be A Woman?

Image
"All we ask... is FULL RIGHTS as women" 🤡 The legal lunacy that led to the recent Tickle V Giggle judgement was fought for as far back as the 30s. The Trans Takeover of Womanhood - 100 Years of Madness premieres this eve at UK time 🍿 https://t.co/1nzx8gxNA3 #Womanhood … pic.twitter.com/cZOkBrKPof — MrMenno 🏳️‍🌈🎶 (@MrMennoTweets) October 2, 2024 Mr Menno's response to the absurd 'Trans Takeover of Womanhood' - is intelligent, well researched and hilarious into the bargain. A must watch!    
Read more