LORDS REFORM:  LABOUR RISKS BETRAYAL OF MANIFESTO COMMITMENT – LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Liberal Democrat Members of the Joint Committee on Lords Reform Paul Tyler MP, Lord Goodhart and Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, commenting on the Government’s response to the Second Report of the Joint Committee, said:

“The Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform published its Second Report on 9 May.  We, together with other members of the Committee, issued a statement at the same time stating our belief that the Committee could not continue to act in the absence of an indication of the Government's preferred route to achieve its manifesto commitment to a more representative and democratic House of Lords.

“The Government has now published its reply to the Committee's Second Report.  It contains no such indication.  We regret the failure to acknowledge the substantial majority in the House of Commons against a fully appointed Second Chamber.  We note that the Government have failed to recognise that 332 MPs, more than half the total number, voted for a substantial elected element in the new Second Chamber.

“We cannot accept the removal of the remaining hereditary Peers on its own, but only as part of much wider measures of reform to create a democratic and accountable Second Chamber.

“We therefore see no role which the Joint Committee can usefully play in achieving the reformed House of Lords which we seek.  If, at its next meeting, the Committee does not decide to recommend to both Houses that it should be discharged from its functions we will have to consider whether we should play any further part in its proceedings.”  ENDS