cotland’s friends within the Home of Lords “fail at each degree” to characterize the wants of the nation, an SNP MP has mentioned.
A report produced by Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard makes the case for the abolition of the UK Parliament’s second chamber.
Friends scrutinise authorities coverage, nevertheless membership isn’t chosen by the general public by means of election.
The report, titled Their Scottish Lordships, recognized 78 members who might be considered Scotland’s friends, both those that have spent most of their energetic life in Scotland or who’ve been given a Scottish title.
Mr Sheppard argues the system doesn’t characterize the vast majority of Scotland as a lot of the Scottish friends are “privately educated males over the age of 65”.
He additionally mentioned they’re against Scottish independence.
Simply 22% of the friends are ladies and 68% are aged 65 and over, with simply former Scottish Tory chief Baroness Ruth Davidson underneath the age of 45, the report mentioned.
Mr Sheppard additionally mentioned the Home of Lords doesn’t precisely characterize the make-up of Scottish seats at Westminster, the place the SNP has 81% of the accessible 59 seats however the social gathering has no friends.
In the meantime, the Conservatives account for 31% of Scotland’s friends however maintain 10% of the nation’s seats in Westminster, in line with the report.
The Liberal Democrats, the report says, has 10% of Scotland’s friends in contrast with 7% of Westminster seats, whereas Labour has 2% of seats and 32% of friends.
It’s a core element of this damaged Westminster system and should be abolished
The report additionally says there are 17 hereditary friends – the place a title is inherited – among the many 78 Scottish friends.
Mr Sheppard mentioned the whole bills invoice amounted to £2,342,142 between September 2021 and 2022, with seven friends collectively claiming £78,907 for attending the Lords regardless of not talking within the chamber or asking any written questions.
He mentioned: “This report makes grim studying for advocates of democracy. It offers additional proof that the Home of Lords fails at each degree to offer any semblance of illustration or respect the views, character and aspirations of the Scottish individuals.
“Over £2.3 million was claimed in bills and allowances by Scotland’s friends, regardless of some doing nothing in a yr. The truth that this occurred throughout a cost-of-living disaster exhibits simply how dire the state of affairs has turn into.
“It’s unquestionably clear that efforts in direction of reform have failed, and with each Labour and the Tories dedicated to preserving the establishment, the one reasonable alternative to dismantle the undemocratic Lords lies in wholesale change. It’s a core element of this damaged Westminster system and should be abolished.
“After all, the smarter reply can be to arrange a brand new nation to do it higher. With the complete powers of independence, we are able to draw up a contemporary structure which conjures up and represents our residents. And in doing that, we use the Home of Lords as a temple for what to keep away from.”
A Home of Lords spokesperson mentioned: “Not like MPs, members of the Home of Lords are usually not paid a wage. Other than reimbursing journey prices the every day allowance is the one monetary assist they obtain for prices related to attending the Home, for members who dwell in Scotland it will embody paying for in a single day lodging.
“MPs who dwell outdoors of London can declare monetary assist for lodging on high of their wage.
“The Home of Lords is a busy and efficient revising Chamber. The allowances system is designed to make sure members from all elements of the UK, and a spread of private monetary circumstances, could make an essential contribution to bettering laws and holding the Authorities to account.
“Members of the Lords who dwell in Scotland might have larger journey prices than these dwelling nearer to London and it’s important that they aren’t prevented from contributing their information and expertise to the essential work of the Home of Lords.”