The SNP has criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer following reports he is considering changes to the House of Lords that could retain a number of hereditary peers, according to claims published ahead of the Scottish elections.
The reports suggest proposals could allow dozens of hereditary peers to continue playing a role in the second chamber, despite earlier plans to remove their law making powers.
According to the claims, the move could include retaining a number of Conservative hereditary peers alongside crossbench and Labour figures, as part of a wider agreement on Lords reform.
The issue has prompted political reaction in Scotland, where it has been raised as part of the wider election campaign debate.
SNP candidate Jenni Minto said the reported plans raise questions about political priorities during a period of economic pressure.
“In the middle of a cost-of-living emergency, the Labour Party is focused on saving hereditary Lords, they deserve the electoral drubbing voters will give them next week.
“It is a disgrace that a UK Labour government, that has failed to lift a finger to help people with their energy bills, has instead been spending its time striking a deal to save hereditary Lords.
“It will be very telling if Anas Sarwar fails to condemn this move, with speculation growing that he is lining up a place in the Lords for himself after being projected to lead Labour to their worst ever result in Scotland.
“The House of Lords is a massive waste of money costing the public over £200 million every year as unelected peers rake in a £371 a day attendance allowance.
“For years Labour politicians have queued up to pledge that they would reform this archaic institution, with Sir Keir Starmer himself once promising to abolish it.
“Yet, at the first whiff of power, he has stuffed the place with more unelected Labour cronies.
“The simple truth is that Westminster parties will never ditch this archaic institution, the largest unelected legislature outside the People’s Republic of China.
“It is only with the fresh start of independence we can escape this anti-democratic waste of Scotland’s money.”
The House of Lords has long been a point of political debate, particularly around its unelected nature and the role of hereditary peers within the system.
Previous reform proposals have aimed to reduce or remove hereditary membership, although progress has often been limited.
The reported plans have not been formally confirmed, but they have already entered the political conversation as parties set out contrasting positions during the campaign period.
With the election approaching, issues around governance, cost of living and constitutional reform are continuing to shape debate across Scotland.
Reports of potential changes to the House of Lords have sparked political reaction in Scotland, with questions raised over priorities and the future of reform as election campaigning intensifies.
