The SNP has ramped up calls for the abolition of the House of Lords – as two unelected former Tory MPs prepare to take their place in the upper chamber and in Boris Johnson’s Cabinet.
Nicky Morgan, who resigned as an MP, and Zac Goldsmith, an ex-Tory minister who lost his seat at the election, will take their places in the House of Lords today.
Baroness Morgan will keep her position as Culture Secretary and Lord Goldsmith – who was also educated at private school – will attend Cabinet as an environment and development minister.
The SNP’s Tommy Sheppard MP said: “it’s clear that the House of Lords has no place in a modern democracy and must be abolished.
“It smacks of privilege and arrogance that two former MPs, who were either rejected by the public or resigned before they could be rejected, are being elevated to the Lords and will have a say over legislation.”
Sheppard – now SNP shadow Leader of the Commons – previously published a report looking at the influence of the Lords on the Parliament and how the Scottish peers are unrepresentative of the nation.
He added: “The Tories don’t even think they need to bother standing in an election and be held to account by the public in order to keep the perks of ministerial posts.
“However, the Tories’ disdain for democracy is not just exclusive to the House of Lords – they have repeatedly ignored and disregarded Scotland’s vote and the decision of the people of Scotland to have a choice over their future as an independent country.”
