Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie has renewed calls to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with an elected chamber, citing recent controversy involving Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle.
The Scottish Greens argue that the current structure of Westminster undermines democratic principles, with more than 800 members in the unelected House of Lords compared to 650 elected MPs in the House of Commons.
The party has long called for constitutional reform and says the UK should replace the upper chamber with lawmakers chosen directly by voters.
Scottish Greens spokesperson on the Constitution, Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“The latest saga involving Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle is a flashing red warning light about a political system that is fundamentally broken.
“But it’s far from the first scandal.
“We’ve seen dodgy lobbying, cash for access, criminal convictions and more.
“The House of Lords is an unelected chamber for retired and failed politicians, along with party donors and former insiders who face no democratic scrutiny.
“Simply put, modern democracy can only function properly when its institutions are democratic and the people who hold power and influence are accountable.
“For generations Labour has promised reform, yet whenever it has had the chance it has simply added more of its own allies to the red benches.
“The Conservatives have done the same.
“The result is a bloated chamber that acts as a retirement home for the political establishment.
“But the deeper problem is not any one appointment in particular, it is the system that allows them in the first place.
“More than half of Westminster’s lawmakers are unelected.
“Some have been appointed after making large donations.
“Others have been handed lifetime seats despite criminal conduct, conflict of interest, or toxic values.
“Ordinary people never get a say.
“No one should have the power to shape the laws of this country without the consent of voters.
“That is a basic democratic principle.
“If the UK Government is genuinely serious about restoring public trust, it must abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a fully democratic second chamber.
“Scotland should not be tied to an antiquated institution that rewards insiders and shields them from accountability.”
The House of Lords currently acts as the revising chamber of Parliament, scrutinising and amending legislation passed by the Commons.
The Scottish Greens say meaningful reform is required if public trust in the UK’s political system is to be restored.
