BROWN BRANDED ‘THE LATE REFORMER’ OVER PARLIAMENT PLANS.

BROWN BRANDED ‘THE LATE REFORMER’ OVER PARLIAMENT PLANS.

Speaking following the Prime Minister’s statement on democratic reform, SNP Constitutional Affairs spokesperson Pete Wishart MP branded Gordon Brown as the ‘late reformer’ and repeated calls for a General Election as the first step towards restoring trust and confidence in the Westminster parliament.

Mr Wishart said:

“Gordon Brown is not so much the great reformer as he is the late reformer. He has had twelve years to make proposals for reform but has waited until his government is on the ropes and his party is in meltdown before suddenly sparking into action.

“Real electoral reform at Westminster is long overdue, but we first need a General Election so that we have a House of Commons that commands trust.

“This debate comes at a crucial moment for Westminster, and in the rush by the UK parties to bring forward proposals for reform, they would do well to look to the model of the Scottish Parliament. Most ideas being suggested to reform Westminster have been up and running at Holyrood for ten years – fixed terms, PR, a strong committee system, and total disclosure and transparency of expenses.

“Until Scotland secures independence, Holyrood may have fewer powers than Westminster, but it is abundantly clear that the Scottish Parliament provides the gold standard in setting new standards of democracy.”