SNP SAY NO TO POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS
Posted on Thursday, March 15 2007
Moray SNP MP Angus Robertson has welcomed the vote in the House of Commons calling for a 100% elected House of Lords. Mr Robertson was speaking after the debate that is the start of a major constitutional reform of Westminster's policy making process. The impact on the way in which law is decided is likely to be huge and will affect everyone in the UK and it is arguable that the debate would not have swung so far in favour of an elected second chamber if the SNP had not sparked the 'Cash for Honours' issue that is currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Mr Robertson said: "While the issue of House of Lords reform can often seem like a distant issue in Moray it will radically change the way in which laws are made that affect everyone in Moray, whether it is pensions, policing or energy policy. "SNP pressure through the highlighting of the 'cash for honours' scandal has shown how undermined and tarnished the current system of political appointment has become"The Cash for Honours scandal has brought about an unprecendeted reform of the House of Lords. SNP pressure has changed the climate of Westminster and brought democracy to the fore from the cloudy waters of corruption." "If one thing can be achieved in the debate about the future of the House of Lords it is to remove any mechanism that allows political parties to nominate their cronies or their funders to our legislature. "There are numerous stages to go before Lords Reform is set in stone, however this is a major step on the way and sets the tone for the way the debate will progress. We now have an opportunity to ensure our legislature is fit for a 21st century purpose. ENDS
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