Orcadian Column, 8 May 2025

Much like ‘legend’, the term ‘historic’ is grossly over-used these days. Yet it’s difficult to see how else to describe Papa Westray’s debut in the Parish Cup against Sanday on Sunday.

For an island of around 85 inhabitants to field an 11-a-side team and a full bench of substitutes is nothing short of astonishing. I felt very privileged to be involved in an occasion that will live long in the memory of all those fortunate enough to be there. Sanday ran out 6-0 winners, but Papay were competitive throughout and gave their large and vocal travelling support plenty to cheer. Indeed, seeing the numbers who had made the trip, I just hoped a couple of ‘designated survivors’ had been left back in Papay to keep an eye on things.

The three generations of Hourstons stole the show, including 63-year-old, Alistair who performed heroics in defence for 90 minutes while almost scoring a 40-yard screamer at the other end. Alistair’s 19-year-old grandson, Aiden also deserves plaudits for having the drive to pull together the squad.

All in all, it provided further evidence of why the Parish Cup is so special and whoever ultimately wins the competition, 2025 will be remembered as the year Papay took their bow.

Historic is perhaps a fair description of the last week’s local election in England as well. Reform succeeded in making spectacular breakthroughs across the country at the expense of both Labour but especially the Conservatives. Frustratingly, this rather overshadowed the significant headway made by the Liberal Democrats, who have now overtaken the Conservatives, in terms of local council representation south of the border.

While spectacular, the results were not unexpected given recent polls, the unpopularity of Keir Starmer’s government and the disarray of Kemi Badenoch’s Conversative party. Even so, it has left the UK’s two largest parties looking shellshocked, and speaks to the level of public anger at those in power as well as those recently ejected from office but unforgiven for the mess they left behind.

That anger is not confined to south of the border either, as polls here in Scotland attest.  Frustration at the SNP government’s record of delivery on health, education, transport and the economy has been steadily rising over recent years. John Swinney is aware of the electoral threat this poses, and in setting out a Programme for Government this week, the First Minister will try to convince the public that his administration is focused on their priorities.

Finally, next week may also see further history made as MSPs prepare to debate and vote on the general principles of my Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults bill. This is the stage at which previous attempts to change the law have faltered but I firmly believe the political mood has changed and that MSP colleagues across the parties recognise that for dying Scots and their families, more choice is needed at the end of life. There is a growing recognition that the current ban on assisted dying is resulting in too many ‘bad’ deaths, despite the very best efforts of palliative care.

I know from my discussions with MSPs over recent months that there are questions and concerns they want to see addressed. That is entirely normal and wholly reasonable. However, as I have been making clear, we only get a chance to make any changes if a majority of MSPs back the general principles and allow the bill to return to the Health Committee for consideration of amendments at Stage 2. That, it seems to me, is the very least that we owe those being let down by the current ban on assisted dying.

Perhaps inevitably, and despite overwhelming public support for a change in the law, next Tuesday’s vote is expected to be close. Difficult as this decision may be, however, I have reminded my MSP colleagues that not changing the law also has serious consequences.

In time, I believe we will find it strange that it took us so long to provide the same choice, dignity and compassion to dying Scots as is available in places like Australia, New Zealand and the US. That wouldn’t make the change any less historic, though. So, let’s make history.