Tag Archives: lords reform

An argument made of straw

June 22, 2009 – 9:31 pm

Yesterday, The Sunday Times carried an article by Jack Straw (’Out with the Lords, in with the Senate’) explaining why he now supports an elected second chamber.   
Most of the article is taken up discussing the cross-party group he convened to discuss reform.  Only in the last third does he offer arguments for an elected second chamber.  
His first assertion is [...]

By lordnorton | Posted in Lord Norton | Also tagged , | Comments (34)

Constitutional reform is not the answer

June 1, 2009 – 11:25 pm

A number of politicians have rushed in to argue that constitutional reform – be it proportional representation or an elected second chamber – is the answer to the current crisis.  The logic of their argument is far from clear.  The crisis is one of confidence in our political class, not in our basic constitutional framework. 
If [...]

By lordnorton | Posted in Lord Norton | Also tagged , , , , | Comments (34)

Allowances again

May 17, 2009 – 2:14 pm

Lord Norton’s got an interesting thread going,  Lord Soley’s said his bit again and I’ll remind everyone that I gave my view about our Lords allowances system in my blog on 20 July  2008.  If we are to avoid the House of Lords being occupied solely by the independently wealthy or those on generous pensions there has [...]

By baronessmurphy | Posted in Baroness Murphy | Also tagged , | Comments (8)

Allegations against members

January 29, 2009 – 11:23 am

I am not going to comment on the allegations against the four Members named in the press as they have yet to state their defence but already immense damage has been done to the reputation of the House. So while we wait for further reform of the Lords (which in my view ought to be incremental) [...]

By Clive Soley | Posted in Lord Soley | Also tagged , , , , , | Comments (8)

Experience and expertise

July 22, 2008 – 5:10 pm

Lord Tyler makes some interesting points but none that undermines the points advanced against electing the second chamber – though he does at least avoid some of the cliches advanced by proponents of election.
There are two particular points I would make.  First, the House is variously characterised as a House of experience and expertise.  They [...]

By lordnorton | Posted in Lord Norton | Also tagged , , | Comments (6)