Festival Events 2015

Scottish Parliament Dinner

Wednesday 11 November

Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

MSPs from across the political spectrum will meet over dinner, to acknowledge loss and celebrate the inspirational people in their lives who have died. They'll be invited to share memories, celebrate friendships and talk about the political (and personal) heroes who've continued to have an influence over their lives.

Yes or No? Which party? In or out?

In recent months we've had plenty of opportunities to think about the issues that divide us.

Perhaps it is now time to think about some of the issues that unite us. The issues that are part of being human, no matter what your political outlook. Issues like grief, loss, and love.

Michael McMahon, MSP, who is working with the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care to host the dinner said:

"I'm sure we all have a story to tell of someone who has died, that we miss, but who continues to have an influence over our lives.

"I certainly have, and I'm interested to hear the stories of others.

"In Scotland, we often struggle to talk about death, or to know how to support people who've been bereaved. This MSPs' Dinner is a great chance for MSPs to reflect and acknowledge the loss and influences in our own lives, at the same time as lending our weight to what is a really important initiative by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care."