House of Lords -'beyond reform' time for it to go

In a debate secured in Westminster Hall tomorrow SNP MP, Pete Wishart, will call for the abolition of the House of Lords as an institution that is now beyond reform. Many attempts have been made over the years to bring democracy into the House of Peers – but the SNP are urging its abolition in the next parliament.

Speaking before the debate at Westminster - Mr Wishart commented: “The House of Lords with its staggering 847 members, including hereditary peers and Bishops of the Church of England, is the most absurd political institution in the democratic world and it is right to describe it as an affront to our democracy. What should concern us just as much is not the embarrassment over its indefensible bloated size or the absurdity of its membership criteria - it is its potential and history of abuse, the total lack of accountability and its corrosive, distorting influence in our political life."

Continuing Pete Wishart said: “When we bypass democracy and leave the composition of a legislature up to politicians and party bosses there are very obvious concerns and we only have to look at the recent appointments to the House of Lords to see that this is a very real present danger. The temptation is that those politicians will simply be tempted to stuff the place full of friends, cronies and placemen. But it is the donors that should concern us - people who have a role in our ‘democracy’ whose only qualification seems to be the ability to give one of the Westminster establishment parties a significant cash donation. ‘Cash for Honours’ is the most obvious recent example of this abuse when the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was questioned by the police and his chief fundraiser arrested - but since then appointments show donors are still a major feature."

"The public have a right to demand better than this and we now need to just abolish the whole un-reformable place and put in place a democratic institution accountable to the electorate." Mr Wishart added.

SNP demand Cameron leads Scottish debate

In a letter to the Prime Minister in advance of next week’s Westminster parliamentary debate on further devolution to Scotland, SNP MP Pete Wishart has demanded that David Cameron leads the debate in the House of Commons as the key signatory of the ‘vow‘ made to Scottish electors in the week of the referendum.

The Prime Minister made his promise in the lead up to the vote on September 18th in a clear guarantee to the people of Scotland – but then added confusion by declaring on the Friday morning after the referendum that further powers for Scotland would be achieved in ‘tandem‘ with English votes for English laws – suggesting that the vow was not all it seemed. He also asks the Prime Minister to explain the role of English MPs in Scottish matters as the extra powers debate advances.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Pete Wishart writes:

The Scottish people will not accept any dilution of ‘the vow’ or have the debate about 'more powers' descend in to an unseemly spat between the main UK parties. That is why it is imperative that you lead this debate, with the Leader of the Opposition replying. 

Prime Minister, I know that you are passionate about what you see as the injustice of Scottish members voting on English-only legislation and you will no doubt be aware that the SNP MPs do not vote on English-only legislation that does not impact on Scotland. Can I be so brave as to suggest a way forward in securing a consensus in the House and secure parity across all legislation? That is to lead by example. 

I strongly believe that you must, in the House of Commons, look the people of Scotland in the eye and say that these ‘more powers’ will be delivered without any such condition? 

It has come to my attention that the one Conservative member from Scotland consistently votes on English-only legislation. Will you now confirm that the Honourable member for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale will no longer vote on any further English only legislation so that no charge of possible hypocrisy could be levelled at you or your Government’s approach to this issue? Next week, we also have Scottish Questions. Five Conservative members have questions on the Order Paper, many more will hope to ask a question to the Secretary of State. 

If Scottish members are to absent themselves from English only issues will English Conservative members similarly respect that Scottish business is the exclusive preserve of Scottish members? In addition, specifically on EVEL, to be consistent there surely must be a similar process for Scottish votes for Scottish legislation. Whilst you should lead the debate next week as the key signatory of the ‘vow’, English Conservative members of Parliament must surely refrain from participating in this Scottish only debate and refrain from voting if any question is put to the House.

Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire commented: “David Cameron has a responsibility to lead the debate next week. He is - after all - the Prime Minister who signed the vow on behalf of the Westminster government. He has an opportunity next week to show good faith and ensure that the further powers Scotland demands are met in full and as quickly as promised by him so publicly. It is also gives him the perfect opportunity to explain how he sees the role of English MPs on purely Scottish matters evolving at Westminster.”

ASA investigation into the Home Office's "Go Home" campaign is welcomed by opposition parties

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has launched a formal investigation into the Home Office ‘Go Home’ ad campaign following 60 complaints. Complainants have expressed concerns that the ad, in particular the phrase “Go Home”, is offensive and irresponsible because it is reminiscent of slogans used by racist groups to attack immigrants in the past and could incite or exacerbate racial hatred and tensions in multicultural communities.

Separately, some complainants have challenged whether the claim “106 ARRESTS LAST WEEK IN YOUR AREA” is misleading. They’ve also challenged whether it is misleading because it implies arrest is the automatic consequence of remaining in the UK without permission. The ASA will publish their findings in due course.

The Home Office have confirmed they're in contact with the Advertising Standards Authority and "will respond in due course"

Green party leader Natalie Bennett responded to the news by telling me that the: "Complainants who have said that words 'Go Home' were offensive and irresponsible are entirely correct. That the government should be responsible for these vans is a reflection of their desperation to chase after UKIP votes. But by doing this, they are only strengthening UKIP's political position. The three largest parties should be standing up to prejudice and misinformation. We have major problems in Britain with low pay, with a shortage of housing, with austerity damaging essential public services from health to education, and these are the result of government's failing. Attempts to blame them on immigration are both deeply dishonest and deeply dangerous." 

Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister Chris Bryant responding to the news that the ASA are investigating said: "This is another embarrassing blow to a Government which continues to fail to deal with immigration. With more people absconding at the border and fewer illegal immigrants being returned, David Cameron and Theresa May can't even get the basics right, stumbling from one shambles to another. You've got to question the Government's competence. We need effective action on immigration not offensive stunts."

The Scottish National Party MP Pete Wishart commented: "It is not surprising the use of the 'go home' vans has received widespread criticism, and I am pleased they are being investigated by the ASA. The vans are highly likely to lead to illegal immigrants going underground - rendering them totally counter-productive - while intimidating peaceful and legitimate communities. These posters are clearly designed to address the growing electoral influence of UKIP in Westminster politics, and the anti-immigration plank of their agenda. The illegal immigrants the vans are supposedly trying to target are unlikely even to have a good enough grasp of English to understand what is being communicated."