Let the People Decide: The Autobiography of Dennis Canavan

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The key point is that with palliative care, a good death is entirely possible. No wonder a majority of palliative care doctors and medics are opposed to the legalisation of assisted suicide. Born in Cowdenbeath, Canavan was educated at St. Bride's and St. Columba's Schools, Cowdenbeath, St Andrew's College, Drygrange, [1] and at the University of Edinburgh. He worked as a schoolteacher from 1968 until 1974 and was Assistant Head of Holy Rood High School Edinburgh at the time of his first election to Parliament. Canavan was also head of the maths department at St Modans High in Stirling. However, I must say that, in general, I found the standard of NHS care to be excellent and the standard of palliative care in our local Strathcarron Hospice was first class.

Dewar then published the legislation creating the parliament, telling assembled journalists: “Clause one of the Bill could not be clearer. There shall be a Scottish Parliament. I like that.”THE old taste buds are gearing up already in anticipation of a new dessert dedicated to our long-serving monarch ("Issue of the day: Platinum Pudding for the Queen", The Herald, January 11).

Mr Canavan has spoken out against assisted suicide before, but once again it is a very clear contribution to the ongoing debate about assisted suicide in Scotland and his comments provide a much needed counter-narrative to the one put forward by the likes of Dignity in Dying. He is a strong supporter of the idea of a national holiday to celebrate St Andrew's Day, and his bill to achieve this was eventually passed as the St. Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007.

Significant Anniversary

In recognition of his public service, Falkirk Council launched the Dennis Canavan Scholarship to encourage young people to go on to further or higher education and to use their talents to help others. [9] Personal life [ edit ] Supporters of assisted suicide argue it can give those suffering from terminal conditions a more dignified death. The election came at the height of the Labour government’s attempt to legislate for a Scottish Assembly. The party was divided on the issue, both in parliament and the country. To make matters worse, in a portent of what would come 29 years later, the SNP threatened to defeat Labour in their central belt heartland seats. Mr Canavan said that, after being taught a valuable lesson in life's "real priorities" he decided not to seek re-election. The SNP, as the party of government, must obviously be in the forefront of the campaign, but SNP voters alone will probably not be enough to win victory in the next referendum.