Vote on Lords' reform demanded

Wednesday, 10 August 2005 12:00 AM

The government must hold a promised free vote on House of Lords' reform, a pressure group demanded today.

Peter Facey, coordinator of the Elect the Lords Campaign, said there "can be no more time for delay" on Lords' reform

"Labour has repeatedly promised to complete reform of the House of Lords and the other two main political parties support a substantially elected second chamber," he said.

The Labour manifesto said the 92 remaining hereditary peers would be removed from the Lords and parliament would be given a free vote on reform.

The programme of Lords reform has progressed slowly since 600 hereditary peers lost their seats in 1999, with disagreement over the future of the second chamber.

Mr Lacey also lamented the passing of Robin Cook, who took the nation "closer to a democratic second chamber than anyone else in history".

"The Elect the Lords campaign is dedicated to his memory," he said.

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