A Conservative think tank, Bright Blue Scotland has called for the House of Lords to be abolished after Brexit.
The think tank suggests the Lords to be replaced by a new senate that represent different parts of the UK.
The paper that was authorised by Scottish Conservative, MSP Murdo Fraser who said current arrangements are inadequate and do not support independence across parts of the UK.
Fraser said, “With nationalists in different parts of the United Kingdom seeking to use Brexit uncertainty for their own political ends, it is important that unionists have a coherent response.
“Introducing a UK-wide Senate delivers the long-awaited and overdue reform of the House of Lords, giving a better balance to the UK constitution and protecting the interests of the nations and regions furthest from London.
“A new quasi-federal settlement can mitigate concerns that exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and also are growing in many parts of England, about an over-centralised state where, despite asymmetric devolution over a period of two decades, there is still pressure for more power to be passed down from the centre.”
The report published by Bright Blue Scotland argues the House of Lords to abolished and a Senate or Upper House should be created that represents different parts of the UK.
The report says a UK Council of ministers should be created and replace the current joint ministerial committee system. There will be a need for representatives to be elected by an English grand committee in England.
The director of Bright Blue, Ryan Shorthouse said, “Our departure from the EU provides the impetus to introduce important governmental and constitutional reforms to create a ‘quasi-federal’ future for the four nations of the union.
“Notwithstanding the difficulties and divisions Brexit has created, it does offer an opportunity for overdue democratisation and modernisation of key institutions of the union.”
