THE SNP have called for an urgent review into “honours-for-chums” with the Tory Government handing out 364 life peerages since 2010.
According to an analysis carried out by the party, this includes a total of 170 Tory politicians and advisors who have been appointed to the House of Lords.
Last month Boris Johnson was accused of cronyism after handing a peerage to former Conservative party co-treasurer Peter Cruddas overriding official advice from the Lords Appointments Commission.
It also led to criticism from Lord Speaker Norman Fowler, who pointed out the total size of the Lords was now more than 830 – despite a cross-party agreement three years ago that numbers should be reduced over time to 600.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson appoints Tory donor to Lords, taking number of peers to 842
Tommy Sheppard MP, the SNP’s House of Lords spokesperson, said: “These Lords are unelected and unaccountable. It is an affront to our democracy that the Tories have been allowed to stuff the House of Lords with their party chums, election losing has-beens and Whitehall cronies.
“In a year when many working families have faced job losses and financial insecurities, it is sickening that Boris Johnson has chosen to dish out so many of these £300-a-day jobs-for- life to the likes of Ruth Davidson, and even his own brother, Jo Johnson.
“There’s growing anger amongst voters and allowing this kind of Westminster sleaze to continue any longer threatens the credibility of our democracy.
“It’s time to pull the brakes on this gravy train and urgently review this honours-for-chums scandal.
“The sooner this undemocratic, out-of-touch institution is abolished – and replaced with an elected chamber – the better.”
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