Last week MPs backed a 100% elected Upper House by a substantial majority. Today it was the Lords’ turn to vote on proposals for its composition. They opted for a fully-appointed chamber. Voting was 361 to 121, majority 240. The Lords also voted against all other combinations
While the votes are not binding on the Government the votes demonstrate a deep division between the two Houses and the difficulty there will be to find a consensus. It looks as if a reform bill, certainly one that looks for a fully or largely elected upper chamber, will have a tough path if it is to become law.
7 comments:
Hmmph. America has had an elected upper chamber for almost a century now, and it still fills up with stuffy, wealthy people who are overly impressed with themselves. Good luck on changing that, even if you succeed in obtaining reforms.
Here's hoping! I think the final bill will be a micx of elected and appointed. It looks like a battle royale ahead though
The UK doesn't know what she's in for should the Upper House become just like the Lower House. Might as well go Unicameral if the interests being represented by the two bodies are one and the same.
btw - If it does stand for election in the future, say goodbye to traditions!
Doh! I bet nobody saw that one coming...
"I say old bean, shall we vote ourselves out of all this money and power?"
It's great to be back in the UK.
Well not a huge amount of money to sit in the Lords but a fair degree of power. Not a big surprise when one thinks about it Pisces. Are you in the UK for good now? or just on a short stay?
I doubt the traditions would go out the window by abolishing the right of teh last hereditaries to sit in the lord (and the life peers and the bishops of the Church of England). My gut feeling goes for elected representatives. The idea of losing independent crossbenchers (lords that do not align with a party) like Lord Rambsbotham does jot appeal. I daresay it will be a majority elected minority appointed chamber.
I'm back for good - passed thru Romford on the train today and thought of you :]
It's not much of a place Romofrd, but there are far worse places to live.. Welcome back, the UK has its faults aplenty but it isn't a bad place to live
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