CONTROVERSIAL hereditary peer ‘by-elections’ expose the "gaping chasm" between Scotland and Westminster, campaigners have warned.
The Electoral Reform Society criticised the process that sees a handful of House of Lords members decide which of their number will stay in the chamber for life.
In new analysis, the ERS said the "London-centric" system was an affront to the Scottish electorate.
Tony Blair's Labour government abolished the majority of hereditary peerages in 1999. However, around 90 still remain, accounting for some 12 per cent of the House of Lords.
In most circumstances, if a member dies, quits or retires then the successor is voted for by members of their own party.
The average electorate for normal hereditary by-election is only 32 voters.
ERS published the analysis ahead of the start of National Democracy week, which starts tomorrow.
The initiative is aimed at celebrating democratic participation to mark the centenary year of Suffrage.
Willie Sullivan, director of ERS Scotland, said hereditary peer by-elections showed the gap between Scotland and Westminster: “This analysis shows the gaping chasm between Westminster’s political system and Scottish voters.
"It makes clear something we all instinctively knew - that the Lords, contrary to their assertions, in no way represents Scottish communities.
“It takes some gall for the UK Government to declare National Democracy Week before announcing the results of a hereditary peer ‘by-election’ - which sees a handful of aristocrats decide which of their number will stay in the chamber for life. Such travesties make a mockery of our democracy, and are bad news for voters across the UK.
“From an unelected House of Lords to Westminster’s broken voting system, the London-centric political system is in dire need of reform.
"Scottish voters are used to their votes counting under a proportional voting system, yet they are denied fair representation for Westminster seats. Sixteen and 17 year olds can vote in Scotland, yet they are denied a say for Westminster. It is time these inequalities were rectified.
“Amid all the talk of a ‘power grab’, it is time Scottish voters had a real power in Westminster – with a fair chance to votes for both chambers replacing the current broken set up.”
Meanwhile, the ERS, which campaigns for constitutional reform, said Scottish peers were unrepresentative of voters.
The ERS said 23 of the 50 Scottish peers have their main working background as politics, while 10 per cent of Scottish Lords come from the legal profession.
Only two Scottish peers come from education and training sectors, including schools and further and higher education colleges, the ERS said.
However, none come from construction and engineering, manual and skilled trades, it claimed.
There were also no Scottish peers from the police or armed forces, the ERS stated.
However, a spokesman for the House of Lords said the second chamber was representative of Scotland.
The spokesman said: "The Electoral Reform Society’s own analysis suggests that of those who declare a county of residence, nine per cent of members of the House of Lords come from Scotland while Scotland makes up eight per cent of the total UK population.
"It is clearly inaccurate to suggest the House of Lords does not represent Scotland or its interests."
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