Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 5:14 pm on 9 October 2025.
Shirley-Anne Somerville
Scottish National Party
5:14,
9 October 2025
I thank members for their contributions and point out that the motion that we are discussing could not be lodged until the UK Government tabled its amendments, which was not done until last week. I share the Parliament’s frustration about the timetabling of the LCM and the fact that the Social Justice and Social Security Committee was not able to scrutinise it in the proper manner. That is a reflection of the timetable followed by the UK Government for amendments at the House of Lords report stage and the third reading of the bill in the Lords. I appreciate that that is frustrating for the Parliament; it is also frustrating for the Government.
I gently point out to members of that committee that, some time ago, I made it clear that I was not willing to accept some aspects of the bill. I am not aware of the committee inviting me back for further discussion of the principles behind the stance that I took, even before an LCM was in place.
The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.
The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.
