A free quote ...

When the debate is in full swing today, here's a few quotes to bear in mind:

While debating the legislation under which Kenny MacAskill released al-Megrahi, Peter Fraser, Lord Fraser of Carmylie, as a Conservative Minister of State at the Scotland Office said that the Government had

"no intention of penalising a short-term prisoner released on compassionate grounds if, for example, he unexpectedly recovers his health."--[ Official Report, House of Lords, 2 June 1992 ; Vol. 537, c. 870.]

Gordon Brown, while in opposition, said in the House of Commons on the 9th of June 1993:

My message to the Prime Minister is that he may be able to eliminate compassion from everything that goes on in 10 Downing Street. He may even, by a temporary legislative diktat at Westminster, abandon caring and compassion in his legislation. But he will never persuade the British people that caring and compassion should not be right at the centre of social policy in this country.

Gordon Brown to the RCN conference in May 2009:

I think you judge a country, and you judge the people of a country, not by the size of their wallets but by the breadth of their compassion, by the depth of their generosity, by the width of their goodness.

Iain Gray in a speech to the Co-op party, June 2009:

A parliament is not just about the policies it chooses. It is also about the values which drive that choice

and

And within that Parliament we should set ourselves a standard to work to that embodies our values and our vision so we do not lose our way.

Annabel Goldie in the chamber, 15th January 2009:

Annabel Goldie: Does the First Minister agree that the Scottish criminal justice system must be seen to demonstrate integrity, impartiality and fairness to the victims and to the accused? Can he assure the Parliament that any political decisions taken about the release of Mr Al Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber, will be consistent with those principles?

David Cameron in the Conservative policy document 'built to last':

First, we ourselves have to change. We must be a modern, compassionate Conservative Party.

David Cameron accepting the leadership of his party:

"If you want to build a modern, compassionate Conservative Party, come and
join us."

Oh aye, some English guy (from memory - studied for my English O Grade, forgive any mistakes, will you?)

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle dew from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightier than the mightiest;
It becomes the throned monarch better than his crown.
His sceptre shows the force of temp’ral power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of god himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God's when mercy seasons justice.

Careful now!