The ever expanding House of Lords

[Nearly Sane]

Even someone who might support our undemocratic second chamber should be a bit perturbed at its growth.


http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/world/what-in-the-world/britain-house-of-lords.html?smid=fb-share

[Hope]

Even someone who might support our undemocratic second chamber should be a bit perturbed at its growth.


http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/world/what-in-the-world/britain-house-of-lords.html?smid=fb-share

I think both the Labour and Tory parties have acknowlwedged this burgeoning growth, and have offered ways of overcoming the issue which the other parties have tended to stymie.  Seem to remember that Tory, Labour and Lib Dems have all had ideas to amend the place.

[Nearly Sane]

I think both the Labour and Tory parties have acknowlwedged this burgeoning growth, and have offered ways of overcoming the issue which the other parties have tended to stymie.  Seem to remember that Tory, Labour and Lib Dems have all had ideas to amend the place.

And given that the Tory party is in a majority govt, what's stopping it?

[Harrowby Hall]

And given that the Tory party is in a majority govt, what's stopping it?

The House of Lords is unlikely to be reformed as long as the House of Commons fears that a reformed second chamber will be a threat to its supremacy. An elected Senate which is more representative than the Commons is anathema to a two-party, first-past-the-post that thinks that several hundred years of power stasis is worth preserving.

[Nearly Sane]

The House of Lords is unlikely to be reformed as long as the House of Commons fears that a reformed second chamber will be a threat to its supremacy. An elected Senate which is more representative than the Commons is anathema to a two-party, first-past-the-post that thinks that several hundred years of power stasis is worth preserving.

I don't think the Tories have ever suggested an elected second chamber. That still does not exclude dealing with the ever increasing numbers in the HoL.

[Aruntraveller]

Maybe we should put some sort of attendance record into the mix. Lords must attend (and stay awake) for at least 75% of the time the House sits. If they don't they are de-lorded are whatever it is.

That would have the effect of being very uncomfortable (all crowded together) and would I am sure in the end thin the numbers out.

But let's be realistic. It won't happen. The system is self perpetuating. We need a drastic change.

Corbyn I note, is fully committed to an elected second chamber - but as his chances of becoming PM are about as slim as mine are, that's really not much help.

[Harrowby Hall]

I think that sooner or later even the Tories might realise that HoL reform is long due. One of Teflon Dave's biggest political errors was, following the Scottish referendum, not to establish a commission into the constitution of the UK. He chose to seek the greatest advantage for the Conservative Party. He then stuffed some of his cronies into the Lords when he resigned.

Perhaps the need to evacuate the Palace of Westminster before it falls down may cause a review of our parliamentary arrangements.

Did anyone hear Start the Week yesterday? Interesting discussion about the way the architecture of the Palace of Westminster influences the activity of government.

[Nearly Sane]

Yep, the missed opportunity of a proper settlement was an enormous fuck up. It could easily have been dine to the great benefit of the Tories had they had the guts an imagination. Instead they went for the easy stuff which in part led to the guddle of the Brexit referendum. Had they done the review properly then I think they could easily have established rules for referendums that would have needed some voting threshold.


 In addition I think that they could have presented a version of devo max that would have allowed them to reduce representation from Scotland, Wales and NI that would have given them likely control of the UK parliament in perpetuity. As it is we have the next two years in what looks like a vacuum of real policy while we focus on the constitution with none of the clarity that might be hoped for. Theresa May has again a window of opportunity to use Brexit to look at the system again but I fear it will be missed again