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The Herald Scotland

Personal experience truly informs the assisted dying debate

I had only one patient who made use of Dignitas in Switzerland, because she could not stand the smell of her skin secondaries. Her decision was all about dignity. With the greatest respect to those who have sincerely-held religious or humanitarian views against the Assisted Dying Bill, if you have not had personal experience of a 'bad' death, you really do not know what you are talking about. John NE Rankin, Bridge of Allan. It should remain an offence Your various letters on assisted dying (May 15) are concerned with those facing a period of painful terminal illness, leading to death, so may wish to skip that journey and go directly to the main event. Many people in that position will be wise enough to have made their own arrangements to leave, and do not require assistance. There are also disabled people, who have found their painless but limited lives to be unenjoyable, so will simply kill themselves, and some do that every year. So across the spectrum, many will have already dealt with their own situations. In Scotland at present, helping someone to die is known as murder – and should remain so, as legalising it will open a route to be used by others for their own benefit. Malcolm Parkin, Kinross. Read more letters • I was quite taken aback by the ability of several letter writers to focus on their own opinions rather than addressing the issue at stake. As in a person's trial, it doesn't matter how many witnesses are involved, merely the outcome for one person. As for the circumstances, these are of as much critical importance as the end result. Were it not so, there would be no difference between murder and manslaughter. George F Campbell, Glasgow. • Just one point on assisted dying: if legalised, police officers and paramedics would at least be spared having to deal with suicides, botched or successful. George Morton, Rosyth. Victimising the exploited Neil Mackay has today excelled in voicing concerns that I hope many still share ('Island of strangers? No, but I'm now a stranger in my own land', The Herald, May 15). I certainly share them. It brings tears to the eyes to think that people from countries that the UK invaded and exploited for years, people fleeing fear and famine plus anyone who dares through no fault of their own to be seen as "different", are now being victimised and blamed for all that is wrong in the UK. Patricia Fort, Glasgow. It's Starmer who is the stranger Three cheers for Neil Mackay. I agree with every word of his article today. My own previously Highland/island family has been greatly enriched by three granddaughters-in-law, French, Chinese and Indian, and a Lithuanian grandson-in-law. They are not strangers but Keir Starmer and his ilk are. Dorothy Dennis, Port Ellen, Islay. Fading hopes of progress I read Neil Mackay's despairing piece in the middle of writing a short article on the fight to repeal Section 28, the law banning the "promotion of homosexuality", which was won 25 years ago. Section 28 demonised lesbians and gay men in much the same way as immigrants and trans people are demonised now. Back in 1999 most of Scottish civic society and all political parties other than the Tories stood firm against prejudice and intolerance and proved that devolution had enabled Scotland to take the lead in promoting tolerance and inclusion. With anti-immigrant and trans-hating Reform on the rise, and the enthusiasm of the Westminster Government for anti-foreigner, anti-poor and gender fundamentalist stupidity, the assumption that Scotland could continue to make progress, however inconsistently, does seem to be dying or dead. Brian Dempsey, Dundee. This road is a danger to cyclists I have recently passed through the revised road layout at Woodlands Road heading to the M8 and I am somewhat concerned that this junction is an accident waiting to happen. From Woodlands Road the road veers slightly to the right towards the city centre then you have to turn to the left almost back on yourself, avoiding the protruding kerb then across a cycle lane which due to the angle you approach the junction at leaves you unsighted for cyclists coming from your left. It is bad enough in a car but it must be worse for commercial vehicles. Yes, I believe there are lights on the cycle lane but those tend to be ignored by a certain faction of cyclists. There has already been one tragic accident in Glasgow involving a cyclist. I would be interested to see what Glasgow City Council's roads department has to say, as well as the cycling community. Douglas Jardine, Bishopbriggs. Keir Starmer (Image: PA) Perpetual notion In response to GR Weir's letter of May 13, Brian D Henderson (Letters, May 15) suggests that the alternative to the royal family is a 'certain Mr President'. There is however one massive difference in the two roles. Like him or loathe him, the President of the USA was voted for by the public. He can only serve a four-year term before re-election and is only allowed to serve two terms. The 'British' royal family however have been elected by no one and are there for perpetuity. David Clark, Tarbolton. Why my brain is buzzing Mike Flinn (Letters, May 15) rightly draws attention to government buzzwords. The deadline looms for hard-working families, many of whom are now second-class citizens, the result of 14 years of Tory austerity, to benefit from fixing the foundations, balancing the books, and stabilising the economy. Help is in the pipeline; it is, after all, the right thing to do. David Miller, Milngavie.