LORDS  REFORM  BILL

After nearly a century of dithering over Lords reform by successive governments, a cross-party group of senior MPs will publish a Bill on Monday (February 21st) to fulfil previous promises to make the House “more democratic and representative.”

The 1911 Bill boldly stated “it is intended to substitute for the House of Lords as it at present exists a second chamber constituted on a popular instead of hereditary basis but such substitution cannot be immediately brought into operation …”  94 years later the promise remains unfulfilled.

With a fully documented report, examining all the options, the Bill will provide for 70% of the members of the new “Second Chamber” to be directly elected, by a system which will maintain the political supremacy of the Commons and ensure greater independence from the party whips.

The group – comprising Ken Clarke (Conservative), Robin Cook (Labour), Tony Wright (Labour), Sir George Young (Conservative) and convened by Paul Tyler (Liberal Democrat) – believe that they have drafted a Bill which could provide a “centre of gravity” around which reformers from all parties – and the public – could coalesce.

In recent weeks the two Cabinet Ministers responsible for constitutional reform – Lord Falconer and Peter Hain – have reiterated their personal commitment to introduce a majority elected element into the Lords.   But in answers to Paul Tyler, in the Commons, the Prime Minister has repeated his misgivings, although acknowledging that the issue will be put to a free vote of MPs.

“Tony Blair keeps suggesting that there is no consensus on the way forward,” said Paul Tyler.   “We believe that this must be put to the test.   More than half the total number of all MPs voted for a majority elected House in 2003, and all three major parties have committed themselves to this outcome in the past.   Just because Mr Blair is out of step does not mean that we have to maintain the Lords in its present halfway-house illegitimacy.”

ends

The five MPs will launch the Report and Bill  –

in the Jubilee Room, off Westminster Hall, in the House of Commons

at 15.30 on Monday 21st February 2005

(cameras are permitted in this room)