New cross-party attempt to reform Lords

Thursday, 25 November 2004 12:00 AM

A group of senior cross-party of MPs have launched a new attempt to reform the House of Lords.

The MPs, including former Chancellor Ken Clarke and former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, are hoping to draft a ten minute rule bill on House of Lords reform, which would lead to a more 'democratic' upper house.

Other MPs involved in the group include Paul Tyler, Tony Wright and Sir George Young.

The decision to launch an alternative plan follows the Government's decision not to include any new reform proposals Tuesday's Queen's Speech.

Though a ten-minute bill is unlikely to become law, the group hope that a positive vote in favour by MPs would put pressure on the Government to act.

Peter Facey, who speaks for the Elect the Lords Campaign, said he warmly welcomed the development. "Lords reform goes to the heart of the problems British politics faces today over the question of trust. Why should we trust politicians if they won't trust the people to have a say in who should sit in the second chamber of Parliament?

"So we welcome this initiative to put Lords reform firmly back on the Westminster agenda. Lord Falconer has promised to introduce reforms soon after the next general election if Labour is re-elected, but he has yet to make it clear whether he will be proposing a system of direct election or fudge the issue. Now he will have a draft Bill with cross-party support to consider."

Labour came to power in 1997 with a pledge to reform the House of Lords and the majority of the hereditary peers were removed in 1999. However, reform efforts then stalled as MPs and Peers were unable to agree on the composition of the new upper house - whether it should be elected, appointed or a combination of the two.

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