The BBC says that we are to have full Lords reform early in the session, with a move to complete proportional representation.If that turns out to be the case, I think that we should welcome it. Our political representation is almost PR as it is. We’re used to minority parties – we’ve had Plaid and…
Monday sees the return of Peers to the chamber of the House. The recess always leaves the House feeling a bit empty even if you do see Lords there from time to time – usually dealing with correspondence, using the library or having meetings of one type or another. We will be dealing with some final…
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…
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. …
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…
