Kenny: House of Lords has got to go

A Paisley politician is calling for the abolition of the “unelected” House of Lords.

C o u n c i l l o r Ke n n y MacLaren echoed findings of a scathing report from the Electoral Reform Society showing a fraction of members in the House of Lords claimed expenses but contribute to any debate.

The ERS findings revealed 115 members (out of 800 members) of the upper chamber did not contribute between June 2016 and April 2017, yet claimed an average of £11,091 each.

Councilllor MacLaren said: “The ERS report revealed that 115 members, out of around 800 members, of the House of Lords did not contribute between June 2016 and April 2017, yet claimed an average of £11,091 each.

“Amongst these members is former Paisley Labour MP Irene Adams – now known as Baroness Adams of Craigielea who hasn’t spoken in a debate since 8th December 2015.”

Councillor McClaren added: “Since then, up to April 2017, which is the latest available information, Baroness Adams has claimed £43,050 in allowances and £20,198 in expenses despite not speaking once during this period.

“The public should be appalled that these unelected lobby fodder Lords can claim £ 300 a day just for turning up – even if it is only for an hour. The place is now quickly becoming a national embarrassment ripe for abolition.

“These findings make it time for the end of the peer show. It is time for it to go – once and for all.”

The ERS report analysed 779 peers’ voting, speaking and expenses records between June 2016 and 27 April 2017. It concluded that £4,086,000 was claimed by 277 peers who spoke five times or fewer in the past year. The data also found £ 7,321,000 was claimed by 394 peers who spoke 10 times or fewer this past year, while 131 peers who spoke and voted 10 times or fewer claimed £658,000.

Darren Hughes, the ERS chief executive, added: “There are a worrying number of couch-potato peers and lobby- fodder lords at a time when there is plenty to scrutinise.”