This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6297003.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lords reform to go to free vote Lords reform to go to free vote
(about 22 hours later)
Ministers will be given a free vote on options to reform the House of Lords because the government is unable to agree a position, the BBC has learned. Ministers - as well as MPs - will be able to argue and vote against Government policy on reforming the House of Lords, the BBC has learned.
A white paper will suggest the Lords be half-elected and half-appointed as an initial starting point.A white paper will suggest the Lords be half-elected and half-appointed as an initial starting point.
Cabinet ministers have signed up to the policy document on the condition they are allowed to argue and vote for options such as more elected peers. However, the Cabinet committee drawing up the policy was divided on the issue.
The constitutional affairs cabinet sub-committee has finalised the paper. So Cabinet ministers have signed up to the policy document on the condition they are allowed to argue and vote for options such as more elected peers.
The constitutional affairs cabinet sub-committee has finalised the paper this week and will go before the full Cabinet soon.
Jack Straw, the leader of the Commons who has led the discussions, hopes to publish the white paper in the first week in February.Jack Straw, the leader of the Commons who has led the discussions, hopes to publish the white paper in the first week in February.
MPs and peers would then get the chance to vote on the issue, probably in early March.MPs and peers would then get the chance to vote on the issue, probably in early March.
Alternative voteAlternative vote
Mr Straw wants the Lords to be half-elected and half-appointed.Mr Straw wants the Lords to be half-elected and half-appointed.
But it is understood that he has failed to convince most other ministers attending the committee.But it is understood that he has failed to convince most other ministers attending the committee.
Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, and Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary all favour a greater elected element.Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary, and Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary all favour a greater elected element.
Under current plans, MPs will vote first - in the Commons chamber - on whether they want any kind of upper house at all and then whether the current House of Lords should be reformed.Under current plans, MPs will vote first - in the Commons chamber - on whether they want any kind of upper house at all and then whether the current House of Lords should be reformed.
MPs will then, in an unusual move, vote on seven different options for reform: all elected; 80% elected, 20% appointed; 60% elected, 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected, 60% appointed; 20% elected, 80% appointed; and all appointed.MPs will then, in an unusual move, vote on seven different options for reform: all elected; 80% elected, 20% appointed; 60% elected, 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected, 60% appointed; 20% elected, 80% appointed; and all appointed.
Instead of voting in the division lobbies, MPs will indicate their preferences in order on a ballot paper.Instead of voting in the division lobbies, MPs will indicate their preferences in order on a ballot paper.
Under this alternative vote system, the least popular option will be knocked out and its second preferences redistributed until one option achieves a majority.Under this alternative vote system, the least popular option will be knocked out and its second preferences redistributed until one option achieves a majority.
Numbers cutNumbers cut
The widely-trailed white paper recommends that new members of the Lords should be elected by proportional representation from regional party lists, with elections taking place on the same day as European elections.The widely-trailed white paper recommends that new members of the Lords should be elected by proportional representation from regional party lists, with elections taking place on the same day as European elections.
As for the other members, 20% would - as now - be appointed by the independent appointments commission.As for the other members, 20% would - as now - be appointed by the independent appointments commission.
The remaining 30% would be political appointees, nominated by party leaders, in proportion to their parties' performances at the last election.The remaining 30% would be political appointees, nominated by party leaders, in proportion to their parties' performances at the last election.
All members would serve for roughly the equivalent of three parliamentary terms.All members would serve for roughly the equivalent of three parliamentary terms.
Although the aim would be to cut the number of members down to about 450, there will be no immediate cull of hereditary peers.Although the aim would be to cut the number of members down to about 450, there will be no immediate cull of hereditary peers.
Instead, the current system of electing replacement hereditary peers will be scrapped so that the numbers reduce over time.Instead, the current system of electing replacement hereditary peers will be scrapped so that the numbers reduce over time.