I decided to go along to the hustings event held at St.Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow on the 15th of April. The organisers asked us to write down any questions for the candidates and put them on the board, and they would select the ones to be asked. My question was " How would you vote on another End of Life Assistance Bill, if Margo MacDonald tries again?". As we were in a church, I thought my chances of getting this asked were slim. However, due to a mix up, I got to ask it.
The replies from the candidates were as follows:
Sandra White, Scottish National Party said she supported Margo's previous bill, and would support another.
Katie Gordon, Liberal Democrat said she would probably vote against the Bill.
Hanzala Malik, Labour, said that he would probably vote against the Bill
Martha Wardrop, Green, said she would support the Bill. She had personal experience of what happens when people are denied the right to choose when to die.
The Conservative candidate said that he would support the Biill.
Many people came to me at the end and said how glad they were that I asked that question. Most felt that we should be able to chose when we want to end our lives. Especially if we are at the end of our lives and in pain. Why should we suffer the indignity of a long drawn out death if we chose not to?
