Lord Reform Day - 7 March

Unlock Democracy, composed of those familiar democratic reform-seekers, New Politics Network and Charter 88, will be staging a 'Lords Reform Day' on March 7. This is the likely date of the Commons vote on what proportion of the House of Lords should be elected and the campaign seeks to get as much of the Upper House elected as possible.

It's a cause highly worthy of progressive support. The arguments in favour of a fully-elected Lords are well rehearsed. This makes them no less compelling. And there's been a profusion of counter-arguments put about in light of Jack Straw's recent, ham-fisted attempts to forge a fudge of the issue.

These anti-democratic counter-arguments are in the best tradition of the quietist, obstructionist, fusty, 'nay saying' face of the British establishment. Particularly hilarious is Lord Lipsey's notion that '[e]ven electing 50% of the Lords would completely ruin it'. All of a sudden, this well-renowned assembly  of reactionary near-stiffs is really an august Assembly of Experts.

Granted, the partial reform has improved the performance of the Lords. But contrary to some claims, there's no evidence that it performs better than the Commons. The fact is that both chambers are in need of reform, with the intention of making both more accountable, legitimate and stronger in the face of executive power.

Comments

[Dr George M.P. Bailey]

If those in power and elected positions in this country argue that our society must be fit for the 21st century, then both houses are indeed in need of radical reform.

Fully elected houses should be a must, and not an option; after all such people at the time of elections or reform debates, argue that they wish to serve the nation. If this is true, then they must be realise that we the electorate, want them to be held to account.

To be more powerful, democratic and legitimate, MPs and the elected Lords (if that is what they will be) will have to be able to be free from pressure when voting in the houses. A process that needs changing whatever the situaion!

In anticipation

GB