David Cameron tries to make political capital out of his imagined ‘broken society’ and ‘broken Britain’, whilst saying nothing about our very real broken politics.  The single thing that we have to get fixed as soon as possible, is the unelected nature and, in particular, the unaccountability of the House of Lords.  Nothing brings this more clearly to light than the Ashcroft affair.

The idea that this man can avoid paying tax for over 10 years whilst enjoying a position in Parliament, supposedly representing us, is beyond farce—it is insult.  The fact that leading Tories who are accountable to us—such as David Cameron and William Hague—obfuscate the issue, Hague recently saying that he “imagined” that Ashcroft paid taxes in the UK, is simply not acceptable.  They have to know that the British people will not tolerate a person whose simple aim is to buy power and influence in the political system whilst depriving the state of millions of pounds, to occupy a position of  authority.

In what way does this man represent us and our interests?  He has already admitted that his real and preferred home is Belize, so what is he doing meddling in our affairs?  Pouring vast sums of money into Tory campaigns in marginal seats to buy election results, whilst depriving front-line services in the NHS and schools of vital funds, as a result of him not paying taxes, cannot be tolerated.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne, estimates that the tax savings by Ashcroft from his non-dom status are likely to be £127 million, to add to his estimated £1.1 billion fortune.

It seems that at the fag-end of their Government, the Labour Party are trying to rush through legislation to phase out hereditary peers in the House of Lords.  But this is too little too late.  We need an elected second chamber of true representatives.  Nothing else comes close to meaningful democracy.  The Liberal Democrats have campaigned on this issue for years.

Now I am calling on Skipton and Ripon constituents to add their voices to this demand.  We have to make it clear that we will not tolerate people such as Ashcroft buying political power and influence, and that we insist upon proper, accountable representation.  Please sign the petition here.

I am prepared to do whatever I can to keep this on the national agenda, please lend me your support.