Moray SNP News

MORAY MP COMMENTS ON WESTMINSTER CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARY PROPOSALS

Moray’s MP Angus Robertson has commented on proposed boundary changes for Scottish Westminster constituencies, which would reduce the total number of MPs in Scotland and increase the size of constituencies.

The existing Moray constituency is proposed to be expanded to take in Nairn and Auldearn.

The SNP MP has criticised the proposals to reduce the number of MPs, pointing out that there is already a democratic deficit for Scotland and that the best way to save money is to get rid of the unelected House of Lords, which currently has 810 seats - more than 200 more than the proposed number of MPs following any changes.

Angus Robertson MP said:

“The whole principle on which this review is being conducted is deeply flawed. If the reduction in MP numbers goes ahead then we will have a situation where there are more than 200 more unelected Lords than the number of democratically elected MPs.

“The Government claims it wants to reduce the cost of democracy but they remain happy to continue to grow the House of Lords with friends and cronies and no hint of reform to that system.

“The already bloated House of Lords seriously needs reformed – as the number of peers increases, the cost of running it just continues to spiral.

“Around a quarter of Lords appointments since 1997 are former MPs who lost elections or resigned. It is no wonder that so many people in the UK feel disillusioned and disenfranchised whenever unsuccessful ex-MPs get returned to our democracy through the back door.

“If the Government is serious about reducing the cost of democracy – their main reason for slashing the number of MPs – then they must immediately look at reforming our second chamber.”

On the specific proposal for a Moray and Nairn Constituency Angus Robertson MP continued:

“In terms of the specific proposals affecting Moray there is an obvious strong connection between Moray and Nairn, with the previous Moray and Nairn Constituency, which changed in 1983.

“Winnie Ewing was an SNP MP for Moray and Nairn in the 1970s. If these proposals do end up being the final boundaries and I were to be selected as an SNP candidate for any future election then I would look forward to getting round the doors of the expanded area and getting to know the folk around Nairn.”