TOMMY Sheppard has branded the House of Lords an “affront to democracy” as he prepares to give the third annual Thomas Muir memorial lecture.
The Edinburgh East MP, left, will speak at the event commemorating the life and work of the 18th century radical next Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the event, which will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, he hit out at a lack of progress on democracy since Muir’s day, saying: “The anachronistic House of Lords is an affront to democracy.
“The idea that we have a second chamber filled with aristocrats and party appointees is anathema to the democratic principles Thomas Muir and his fellow Radicals fought for.
“Over 200 years later and there is much work still to be done.”
Glasgow-born Muir, who championed political reform, left was charged with sedition and stood trial in 1793 for spreading “disloyalty and disaffection”.
He was sentenced to 14 years transportation to Australia but escaped in 1796, dying in France three years later.
He is remembered with memorials in Edinburgh, London and Bishopbriggs.
The memorial lecture, which focuses on issues of democracy and the constitution, was established by Word Power Books in 2015, with Alex Salmond delivering the inaugural address.
National columnist Lesley Riddoch followed up last year and the event is now sponsored by online magazine Bella Caledonia.
Sheppard, who recently called on the SNP to regain its “radical cutting edge”, said: “The annual lecture is a chance to reflect on the history of radical tradition in Scotland and the synergy between the nationalist and socialist movements. But we must also look forward to the direction we want our country to travel in.
“For many of us involved in the Yes movement, Muir’s optimism will be poignant – ‘I have devoted myself to the cause of The People. It is a good cause – it shall ultimately prevail – it shall finally triumph.’ It is up to us to continue the debate about what our democracy, and what our nation, could be. And how best to actively engage with that movement to bring a better future into existence.”
Tickets are available through the Eventbrite website.
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