THIS week saw the Scottish Parliament debate assisted suicide.

It was a free vote where there is no pressure from party whips and members vote according to their own conscience.

Many MPS spoke eloquently, obviously informed by the arguments on both sides, before explaining why they were voting for or against.

Our politicians were free to speak their mind and not expected to repeat arguments or sound bites dreamed up by party leaders or unelected officials and spin doctors.

We had Labour, Conservative and SNP members arguing opposite points of view from their colleagues and all producing sound reasons for their decision.

It showed our MSPs in a very good light and we were able to see them for the intelligent, articulate respectful and responsible citizens they really are.

The decision they faced was as serious as it gets. They had the responsibility of deciding whether or not an individual should have the right to request assistance to allow them to die at a time of their choosing in the event of a terminal condition.

In the end they decided against, but what the debate showed was the decision of each MSP was taken only after serious consideration of the pros and cons of the Bill, evidence from other countries and of the moral and ethical arguments presented by those on both sides.

All views were given respect during the debate, which was passionate and forthright, which is in contrast to the many occasions in the debating chamber when the behaviour is at best petty and at worst disgraceful.

Less than 24 hours later and First Minister's Questions saw business as usual with heckling and jeering when people were asking and answering questions and clapping on demand from backbenchers to the most mundane of responses from their leader.

If a free vote has that positive , liberating effect on our of politicians then let's have more of them, starting with the Bill on organ donation by Glasgow MSP Anne McTaggart, backing the principle of the Evening Times Opt for Life campaign.

More debates like this and the politicians might be able to earn the respect from the public that their elected position deserves.

That must be preferable to the party squabbling that leads to otherwise decent people resorting to reprehensible behaviour, like lying about opponents in order to score points and gain advantage in elections.

Many episodes have turned people off politics and politicians in recent years from expenses fraud and manipulation for personal gain to Alistair Carmichael admitting dirty tricks over the First Minister's preference for Prime Minister.

More recently we have a change in the political climate with increased turnouts, greater engagement all of which places greater responsibility of elected politicians.

The assisted suicide debate showed they are capable. We just need to see it more often.