Govt launches first consultations on constitutional reform

MPs could be given the final say on international treaties under new measures put forward by the government. Under Gordon Brown’s plans for constitutional reform, parliament would also gain the final right to declare war, wresting the royal prerogative from the government. Ministers today set out a consultation on how the role of parliament could […]

Brown pledges ‘transparent’ political funding

Gordon Brown has pledged to reform party political funding. As Labour attempts to draw a line under the cash for honours investigation, the prime minister promised to introduce a more transparent system for funding political parties. The Crown Prosecution Service announced on Friday that no charges would be brought as a result of the 16-month […]

Straw pledges reform of House of Lords

Gordon Brown will include House of Lords reform in his election manifesto, justice secretary Jack Straw has told MPs. Mr Straw said the government was determined to reform the House of Lords and would be seeking cross-party consensus. The justice secretary told the Commons he wants to remove the “anomaly” of hereditary peers. Attempts to […]

Brown unveils constitutional reforms

Gordon Brown has unveiled details of his constitutional reforms, designed to make the government a “better servant of the people”. Confirming that he would extend more powers to MPs, the prime minister announced plans to give up or relax his royal prerogative in 12 areas. He also set out the foundations for a British bill […]

Junior ministers appointed

Gordon brown has finished forming his government, fulfilling his promise to bring talented people from outside Westminster into power. The prime minister’s stated intention of forming a government of “all the talents” was reinforced by the presence of Sir Alan West, Sir Digby Jones, and Lord Malloch Brown. The new ministers are required to take […]

Peers vote for appointed House of Lords

Peers have voted overwhelming for a wholly appointed House of Lords in defiance of the House of Commons. After two days of debate the Lords voted by 361 votes to 121 for a fully appointed second chamber, leaving MPs contemplating a daunting majority of 240 and the prospect of parliamentary gridlock. The House of Commons […]

Public back elected House of Lords

A wholly elected House of Lords would be backed by public support, a poll suggests. Nearly two-thirds of the public support a 100 per cent elected second chamber, as was voted for by MPs last week. The ICM poll found that a quarter of respondents disagreed with MPs’ backing for an elected second chamber. Peter […]

MPs say ‘elect the House of Lords’

Britain should have a wholly elected second chamber in a radical departure from tradition, MPs voted last night. The House of Commons voted with a 113 majority in favour of an elected House of Lords. Proposals to elect 80 per cent of the chamber also passed with a majority of 38. MPs also voted by […]

MPs begin debate on House of Lords reform

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 […]

Straw in u-turn on Lords reform vote

Leader of the House of Commons Jack Straw today performed a u-turn and abandoned his proposals to allow MPs to vote on the House of Lords reform using a preferential voting system. Despite his personal support for an alternate vote ballot, he told the House today that MPs will vote using a traditional division system, […]