scottish parliament election hustings

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?

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If you enjoy reading my blog, my book Halls of Infamy, is now available on Amazon.com
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Meeting of Association of Scottish Community Councils

On Saturday, I struggled through the snow with many others to attend this meeting in Glasgow City Chambers. There are over 80 community councils in Glasgow and around 60 were represented.
The highlight was a question and answer session with our Members of the Scottish Parliament. The first question was about the recent defeat of the Minimum Prices of Alcohol Bill. Was this party politics that at work? The Labour MSP immediately launched into party politics and was quite rightly heckled and told to sit down. Some MSPs denied it, but the feeling in the audience was that party politics was to blame. Other questions ranged from Bus Regulation, Factors, Audit Scotland and The Common Good Fund. I had sent in a question in advance. “Glasgow has many health and anti-social behaviour problems caused by alcohol abuse. Is it not about time our Licensing Board stopped granting new liquor licenses?”
Unfortunately the chairman called time before I got the chance to ask it. I don’t mind saying I was disappointed. The meeting began late and the chairman allowed some panel members to go on a bit. I feel that my question was important; and once again I have been fobbed off by those in authority.

Margo MacDonald's Right to Die Bill

Dear MSP

I hope that you will support Margo MacDonad's Bill when it is debated. I believe that adequate safeguards have been built in to ensure that people do not feel pressurised to end their lives. It seems that some pressure groups have exaggerated these concerns.

Surely, at the end of our lives, if we feel that things are no longer tolerable; we should be able to choose to die with some dignity.

Yours sincerely

Kelvinside Community Council

The next meeting of Kelvinside Community Council is 7pm on Monday 13th December. This is our Christmas meeting so bring a bottle or something festive to eat.

The community council gives you the chance to question your Local Councillors and find out what is happening in the community. The Police give a report on local crime.

the lunatics are running the asylum

Our council has just finished a consultation on alcohol. It is also carrying out a consultation on our parks, in spite of having done one about 5 years ago. Would you believe they are also carrying out a consultation about whether they should be doing consultations? If the councillors just listened to their constituents and did what they were asked they wouldn’t need these expensive consultations.

Crime levels in Scotland

Statistics show that over two thirds of violent crimes committed in Scotland, were carried out by people who had been drinking. And the problem is getting worse.
Our police in Glasgow are very stretched, dealing with the drink related anti-social behaviour at weekends. If you have ever tried to call them on a Saturday night, you will know what I mean. What will happen when the number of police is reduced as will inevitably happen?
The answer is to stop granting new liquor licenses and reduce the number of late night licenses.