Alice Onwordi
Here are my views on the Lords Reform Bill:
- The House of Lords should be
wholly elected. It is the most democratic solution and everyone
who has an influence in the upper house should be democratically
accountable.
- It should be pared down to 300 at the first stage,
otherwise it will just lead to lots of delays and wrangling at
each stage.
- There should be no privileged place for bishops
or other faith groups. If they want to have a seat in the reformed
house they should stand for election.
- Bishops should not be exempt from the discipline
in the House. They should be subject to the same standing orders
which can expel or suspend other peers.
- The peers in the reformed house should maintain
the same responsibilities. Primarily to review legislation. They
should not be allowed to vote on Commons legislation as they should
be in position where they are removed from it. How can they reflect
on Commons legislation with impartiality if they have voted on
it?
- The Lords should get rid of the ermine robes
etc. It just makes the Lords look more remote. It should look
like a reformed house.
- All candidates standing for election should contest
a constituency.
- A reformed House of Lords should remove the hereditary
peers at the earliest opportunity. At the first stage. That will
be the biggest signal that things will change.
5 September 2011
|
