Pete Wishart

Pete Wishart

Scottish National Party — Perth and Kinross-shire

Speaking in the House of Commons on 12 November 2024

Debate

House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill

Contribution

There is a point of principle behind our position on the House of Lords, and it is a simple word: democracy. We refuse to have anybody in the House of Lords because we believe that people should have an electoral mandate—democratic backing from the people of this country—to serve in the legislature. That is something on which the hon. Lady and I will never agree. I believe she is quite happy and satisfied that unelected peers continue to inhabit the other place. My party is hopeful that the House of Lords might sometimes challenge Governments, and perhaps make them think again, but it always backs down. Any attempt to get the House of Lords to agree to any sort of principle is a waste of time.

More from Pete Wishart

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Pete Wishart's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Pete Wishart report card.