A high profile Labour MSP has announced that he intends to quit as an MSP in favour of sitting in the House of Lords.
George Foulkes, who represents Lothians, has said that he intends to stand down at the next Holyrood elections in 2011. The Labour MSP explained that he was disappointed in Holyrood.
A high profile Labour MSP has announced that he intends to quit as an MSP in favour of sitting in the House of Lords.
George Foulkes, who represents Lothians, has said that he intends to stand down at the next Holyrood elections in 2011. The Labour MSP explained that he was disappointed in Holyrood.
The Labour MSP said:
“I intend to join the growing group of Labour Peers who believe we must mount an even more robust campaign in the Lords against a ConDem coalition, which is increasingly arrogant and insensitive.”
Lord Foulkes added:
“Up until now, Holyrood has, for various reasons, disappointed some of us who were among the founders of the institution.”
“I see among the new candidates being selected for all parties great hope for the future and the opportunity for it now to really fulfill its potential.”
Lord Foulkes was recently criticised after it emerged that he had claimed over £50,000 in Lords expenses in each of the last two years. He is one of a number of Scottish Labour politicians who enjoy the tax free priviliges that the Lords has to offer.
Lord Foulkes decision to give up his MSPs seat and with it his £52,000 plus MSPs salary will increase pressure on Jack McConnell to do the same.
Mr McConnell was one of a number of Scottish Labour politicians who were recently rewarded by outgoing PM Gordon Brown with entry into the exclusive club. The former Labour First Minister recently indicated that he intended to stay on as an MSP and will switch between London and Edinburgh.
The desertion of yet another senior Labour MSP for London brings to three the number of Labour MSPs who have now announced their intention to abandon Iain Gray’s Holyrood group. Margaret Curran and Cathie Jamieson having recently opted for Westminster after becoming MPs, they will stand down as MSPs in 2011.
