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Cabinet considers elected lords Cabinet considers elected lords
(about 1 hour later)
The cabinet has discussed plans for directly electing peers after years of deadlock on possible reforms of the House of Lords. The Cabinet has agreed to a White Paper setting out plans for directly electing peers, after years of deadlock on possible reforms of the House of Lords.
Commons leader Jack Straw reportedly favours having half of peers elected. Commons leader Jack Straw favours having half of peers elected.
Ministers are expected to agree to have elected peers, but the exact proportion - ranging from 10% to 100% - will be left to a Commons vote. Cabinet ministers have agreed to some peers being elected, but the exact proportion - ranging from 10% to 100% - will be left to a Commons vote.
A white paper outlining the options on reforming the Lords will be published next week, Downing Street says. The white paper outlining the options on Lords reform will be published next week, Downing Street says.
50-50 split50-50 split
Mr Straw, who has drawn up the plans, has indicated he favours a 50-50 split, while other ministers such as David Miliband, Hilary Benn and Peter Hain want to have up to 80% of members elected. Mr Straw, who has drawn up the plans, backs a 50-50 split, while other ministers such as David Miliband, Hilary Benn and Peter Hain want to have up to 80% of members elected.
Downing Street said a wide range of views were expressed at the cabinet meeting, and ministers would be allowed a free vote on the issue. Downing Street said a wide range of views were expressed at the Cabinet meeting, and ministers would be allowed a free vote on the issue.
Most of the 759 hereditary peers lost their rights back in 1999, but 92 of them were allowed to remain as part of a controversial deal.Most of the 759 hereditary peers lost their rights back in 1999, but 92 of them were allowed to remain as part of a controversial deal.
But Parliament has found it impossible to agree on the next stage - who should sit in the House of Lords and whether they should be appointed or elected.But Parliament has found it impossible to agree on the next stage - who should sit in the House of Lords and whether they should be appointed or elected.
Ballot paperBallot paper
Under the current plan, 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 the current plan, 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.
In the 21st century it must be right that the majority of people in the second chamber of Parliament are elected by the public, on whose behalf they work Simon HughesLib Dem spokesman for constitutional reformIn the 21st century it must be right that the majority of people in the second chamber of Parliament are elected by the public, on whose behalf they work Simon HughesLib Dem spokesman for constitutional reform
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.
The aim is to reduce the number of lords to about 450, but there will be no immediate cull of hereditary peers.The aim is to reduce the number of lords to about 450, but 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.
There have also been reports that "generous" redundancy terms would be offered for peers.There have also been reports that "generous" redundancy terms would be offered for peers.
The Liberal Democrats spokesman for constitutional reform, Simon Hughes, said the government remained "too timid", calling for 80% of peers be elected.The Liberal Democrats spokesman for constitutional reform, Simon Hughes, said the government remained "too timid", calling for 80% of peers be elected.
"In the 21st century it must be right that the majority of people in the second chamber of Parliament are elected by the public, on whose behalf they work," he said."In the 21st century it must be right that the majority of people in the second chamber of Parliament are elected by the public, on whose behalf they work," he said.