MPs begin debate on House of Lords reform
Tuesday, 6 March 2007 12:00 AM
MPs today begin a two day debate on the future of the House of Lords.
The Commons will vote on a series of options for reforming the second chamber, ranging from wholly appointed to wholly elected.
Leader of the house Jack Straw, who is overseeing the reforms, is pushing for a 50:50 split between elected and appointed members.
Writing in this week's House magazine, he urged MPs to produce a tenable plan for the House of Lords, rather than allow a repeat of past failed attempts at reform.
"I hope that things will be different this time round," he wrote.
"Parliament's reputation will be damaged if what happens this week is a repeat of 2003. A clear outcome is imperative."
MPs will vote on abolishing the second chamber or retaining the status quo. They will then vote whether to have a wholly appointed chamber, all elected or one that is 20, 40, 50, 60 or 80 per cent elected.
Mr Straw confirmed last week that the voting system will mean that more than one option could emerge with a majority tomorrow night.
A group of 12 cabinet members have written to Labour MPs, urging them to support an option between 50 per cent and 100 per cent elected.
The Conservatives have claimed that Mr Straw's proposals are insufficiently democratic and have called for reforms that "empower the people, not the parties".
Shadow leader of the house Teresa May said: "With the parties effectively appointing 80 per cent of the new members, people will rightly conclude that instead of 'Tony's Cronies' we'll have a generation of 'Gordon's Gophers'.
"I will be voting for 80 per cent of the new members of the House of Lords to be elected. A newly created House of Lords must be elected by the many, not selected by the few."
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the debate as a "great opportunity" for Parliament to modernise and democratise.
Simon Hughes, Lib Dem constitutional affairs spokesman, said: "It would be a serious setback to our democratic credentials as a country if the Commons does not vote this week for a wholly or predominately elected second chamber.
"We will vote en mass for minimum 80 per cent elected body and hope all progressive MPs will join us."
Peers themselves have been urged not to block attempts at reform. In an interview with the Guardian today, Mr Straw promised that peers would not be able to prevent reform if MPs can reach an agreement.
"All three parties have clear manifesto commitments on the issue of reform, and we now have a white paper," he said.
"So if we get a clear decision out of the Commons on the principle of a hybrid house with a significant elected element - which is what I want - then the whole chemistry of the debate changes."
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