LORDS AMENDMENTS TO SCOTLAND BILL ‘ADD INSULT TO INJURY’

Commenting on news that the Scotland Bill will face amendments in the House of Lords, while the UK Government ignored amendments supported by 58 of Scotland’s 59 MPs, SNP spokesperson on the House of Lords Kirsty Blackman said:

“It is an affront to democracy in the 21st century that there remains a legislative chamber completely unaccountable to the electorate – and that this out of touch, unelected group looks set to have more influence on amending the Scotland Bill than Scotland’s MPs is completely absurd.

“Just last week, 58 of Scotland’s 59 MPs voted for amendments to the Scotland Bill and were overruled by the Tory government with just a single Scottish MP – the fact that the Tories now look set to take on board amendments from the unelected Lords simply adds insult to injury.

“David Mundell and David Cameron need to understand that they cannot simply bypass the democratic will of people in Scotland.  They should recognise the unprecedented mandate given to the SNP at the General Election and deliver the powers that Scotland voted for – rather than demonstrating Tory arrogance in ignoring Scotland’s voice while listening to the democratic absurdity of the House of Lords.”