Labour peer George Foulkes calls for second Holyrood chamber

The National

9 hours ago

George Foulkes, who has previously served as an MP and MSP, said that an assessment of how the Scottish Parliament works is 'long overdue'.
Writing in the Scotsman, Lord Foulkes of Cumnock said that Holyrood is 'not living up to the hopes and expectations' of Donald Dewar, Scotland's inaugural first minister, and John Smith, the former labour leader, who he described as its 'architects'.
He claimed that Holyrood committees have 'largely failed' as a check on the Scottish Government.
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'This situation is compounded by the absence of a second chamber in Scotland, which could revise, improve and very occasionally throw out defective legislation,' Foulkes wrote.
He reiterated his long-standing opposition to Scottish politicians 'pontificating on global crises, which Scotland has no chance of resolving', and claimed the SNP is unwilling to 'seriously engage with the current devolution framework'.
After calling for tunnels to be built between Scotland's islands, Foulkes, who was made a Labour peer in 2005, criticised the SNP's 'centralisation' of services such as police and fire services.
'We need to look at greater devolution across Scotland - possibly creating new democratic institutions, such as mayors - to bring power closer to the people,' Foulkes said.
'And finally, we come to Holyrood itself. A major review is long overdue and should be prioritised by whichever government comes next.
(Image: PA) 'Some key questions which need answered, include - would another electoral system be better? Is there a case for a second chamber? Should there be a limit on the size of the executive? And do MSPs privileges and the role of the Presiding Officer need to be reviewed?
'I am sure that there are many more issues that others would want to look at, but I doubt if there are many now who disagree with the need for change.
'Indeed, sadly, an Abolish Holyrood movement is growing, with the threat to stand candidates for list seats next year.
'To rescue Holyrood, people need to see that their money is being spent wisely and effectively, especially since we have decided to impose higher tax rates than in other parts of the country.'
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson responded to Foulkes' comments, telling The National: "Lord Foulkes wanting a second chamber in Holyrood is bold from someone who sits in an unelected, unaccountable retirement home for Westminster politicians."
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Last year, Foulkes attacked Scottish Government spending and said there should be 'consequences' for the SNP if it is deemed there is spending in reserved areas.
He has long called for the Scottish Government to be prevented from spending in areas such as independence and foreign engagement.
Labour have repeatedly said they would abolish the House of Lords, but after coming to power in Westminster following the General Election, instead abolished the 92 seats reserved for peers who are there by right of birth, known as hereditary peers.
In a National investigation in 2021, we revealed that Scottish peers had claimed a 'grotesque' £1 million in expenses during the pandemic.
Foulkes topped the list for the biggest claim of combined allowance and expenses with £64,643, and for the highest daily allowance alone at £55,936, between April 2020 and July 2021.