LABOUR’S LORDS A LEAPING

LABOUR’S LORDS A LEAPING

CALL FOR DEMOCRACY TO RETURN TO WESTMINSTER

On the 10th day of Christmas SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said there are now so
many 'lords a leaping' in the UK Government that Gordon Brown had clearly
lost count– as the SNP highlighted the fifteen Lords and Ladies in Gordon
Brown’s government.

Despite there being only ten Lords a Leaping in the Christmas song, the
Prime Minister has fifteen in his Government, with even more acting as
appointed Tsars – such as Lord Sugar.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson today (Sunday) challenged Labour to restore
democracy to the London government and use elected MPs rather than
appointed friends.

Mr Gibson said:

“In the song there are only ten lords a leaping during Christmas but
Gordon Brown has appointed fifteen.

“We all know that the London Government is effectively run by Lord
Mandelson but the number of lords a leaping through Downing Street these
days is shocking.

“For a party supposed to represent the people and a party that is supposed
to support abolition of the Lords, to use it as the main source of
Government Ministers is a disgrace.

“If Labour MPs no longer want to work in Brown’s Government then surely
it’s time for a general election.

“Unelected and unaccountable Ministers are simply unacceptable in what
should be a modern day democracy.”


The following UK Government Ministers sit in the House of Lords:

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, First Secretary
and Lord President of the Council - Rt Hon Lord Mandelson

Secretary of State for Transport - Rt Hon Lord Adonis

Minister of State for Science and Innovation - Rt Hon Lord Drayson

Attorney General - Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC

Advocate General for Scotland - Lord Davidson of Glen Clova QC

Leader of the House of Lords and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Rt
Hon Baroness Royall of Blaisdon

Minister of State (Trade, Investment and Small Business) (also in the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office) - Lord Davies of Abersoch

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Postal Affairs and Employment
Relations) (also Lord in Waiting) - Lord Young of Norwood Green

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Children, Young People and Families) -
Baroness Morgan of Drefelin

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (also in Department for Work and Pensions)
-Lord McKenzie of Luton

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (International Defence and Security) (also
in Foreign and Commonwealth Office)- Rt Hon Baroness Taylor of Bolton

Minister of State (Energy and Climate Change) - Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings
Heath

Parliamentary Under-Secretary (and Deputy Chief Whip) (Environment and
Rural affairs) - Rt Hon Lord Davies of Oldham

Minister of State (Africa and the UN) - Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead

Exchequer Secretary / City Minister - Lord Myners