SNP COMMENT ON BOUNDARY COMMISSION PROPOSALS
Commenting on proposals published today by the Boundary Commission for Scotland, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said:
“The proposals to cut the number of elected representatives in Scotland are unacceptable.
“At a time when Scotland already faces a deep and growing democratic deficit, with a Tory government that we didn’t vote for imposing increasingly right-wing policies against our will, it is vital that the Scottish people have strong elected representation at Westminster to stand up for Scotland’s interests and to hold the UK government to account.
“Furthermore, it is outrageous and undemocratic that the UK government is planning to cut the number of Scottish MPs while it continues to pack the unelected and unaccountable House of Lords with yet more Tory donors and cronies to do the government’s bidding.”
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP added,
“For the people of North Bearsden to be suddenly told they are part of West Dunbartonshire is quite simply bizarre and does not reflect the reality of existing communities in either area. I am very lucky in West Dunbartonshire to have a single Council and a single Police Authority to work with. This has allowed me to build up close relationships with key officials that help me in helping my constituents, and it would be my personal preference to maintain the status quo.
“Those who follow my work in Parliament will know my feelings on the House of Lords. Under this government the already bloated House of Lords has grown to over 800 members and is now the second largest legislature in the world – second only to the National People’s Congress of China – costing the Scottish taxpayer millions every year and making a mockery of the Tory claim that reducing the number of Scottish MPs is an attempt to cut the cost of politics.”
You can view the proposals and take part in the consultation by clicking here.