THE House of Lord hopefuls can put forward a written statement as part of the selection process. Here are some of the pitches from candidates with Scottish connections...
Lord Margadale Alastair Morrison (below, left), the 3rd Lord Margadale, inherited the title after his father died in 2003.
The family’s land includes the 9000 acre Fonthill Estate in Wiltshire and 73,000 acres on the Isle of Islay. In 2016, he issued an apology after his daughter’s raucous 21st birthday party caused outrage for keeping villagers awake all night.
His pitch states: “Educated at Harrow, the RAC, Cirencester. I worked in commodities before starting my own catering business. I owned and ran a small hotel before managing our family estates in Wiltshire and the Isle of Islay.”
He adds: “I believe that the successful future of Scotland lies within the Union.”
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Lord Napier and Ettrick Francis David Charles Napier is the 15th Lord Napier of Merchistoun – one of the ancient titles of Scotland, dating back to the early 17th century. He was born deaf and has a cochlear implant, which enables him to hear 95%.
His father, Major Francis Nigel Napier, served Princess Margaret as her private secretary for 25 years.
He says: “I believe that my life experience as someone who has succeeded in business despite significant challenges, due to a severe hearing impairment, would enable me to make a distinctive and valuable contribution to the House.
“I believe that a more representative House is a stronger House, both in terms of quality of debate but also, in relation to public perception. My election could help challenge popular preconceptions and strengthen the House. Regular and diligent attendee.”
Lord Rowallan Old Etonian Johnnie Rowallan (below) inherited the family seat Rowallan Castle at Kilmaurs directly from his grandfather at the age of 30 after the rightful heir, his father the Honourable Arthur Cameron Corbett, was disinherited over his relationship with Britain’s first transsexual, April Ashley.
His statement says: “Having sat in the House in the 90s I have experience. I am involved in renewable energy and am an advisor to a large UK developer.
“My past experience in farming, equestrianism and mental health charity work give me a broad range of interests. I was a judge at the London Olympics.
“I helped at the recent Scottish Parliament Elections in Ayr and Ayrshire.”
Earl of Stockton Alexander Macmillan (below), 2nd Earl of Stockton, is the grandson of prime minister Harold Macmillan and another former pupil of Eton.
His family’s fortune was estimated at £120 million in 2019. He worked as a war correspondent in Vietnam and the Middle East in the late 1960s and early 1970s, before joining the family’s eponymous publishing firm, later becoming chairman and president. He previously had a seat in the House of Lords, and served as a Conservative member of the European parliament from 1999 to 2004.
In his election pitch he lists his current and former roles including “journalist and Foreign Correspondent, Glasgow Herald, Daily Telegraph. Director and Chairman Macmillan Publishers, landowner in Sussex and Devon.”
It goes on: “Resident 50 minutes from Parliament by public transport. Would attend assiduously.”
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