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Lords reform proposals unveiled Straw hails Lords 'opportunity'
(about 3 hours later)
Jack Straw has told MPs his plans are the "best opportunity" to reform the House of Lords for "many decades".Jack Straw has told MPs his plans are the "best opportunity" to reform the House of Lords for "many decades".
The Commons leader outlined details of the White Paper which proposes a house where some peers are elected and some still appointed, as they all are now.The Commons leader outlined details of the White Paper which proposes a house where some peers are elected and some still appointed, as they all are now.
Mr Straw, who wants 50% of peers to be elected, said MPs would be given the final say on what proportion of peers should be elected in a reformed Lords.Mr Straw, who wants 50% of peers to be elected, said MPs would be given the final say on what proportion of peers should be elected in a reformed Lords.
He said reform would increase Lords' legitimacy and "strengthen democracy". The Lords could be renamed - with "the reformed chamber" an interim title.
The plans, an attempt to end long-term deadlock, also propose cutting the number of peers from 746 to 540. Mr Straw said the reforms would increase the House of Lords' legitimacy and "strengthen democracy".
The plans, an attempt to end long-term deadlock, also propose cutting the number of peers from 746 to 540, and would see the end of hereditary peers sitting in Parliament.
'Vast range of views''Vast range of views'
The White Paper - a document which puts government ideas to MPs for consultation before a final bill is drafted - does not propose removing Church of England bishops and archbishops from the Lords.The White Paper - a document which puts government ideas to MPs for consultation before a final bill is drafted - does not propose removing Church of England bishops and archbishops from the Lords.
While there appears to be backing for the idea that there should be elected element in the future, there is no agreement on what proportion of peers should be elected and what proportion appointed. REFORM PROPOSALS A 'hybrid' of elected and appointed peersReduce size of House from 746 to 540 membersEnd hereditary and life peerages over timeElected peers to be voted in at same time as Euro electionsMaximum time in office of 15 years for elected and appointed peersAppointees a mixture of party politicians and non-party figuresLords may be renamed - possibly 'The Reformed Chamber'Anglican bishops and archbishops to keep seats class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6339401.stm">Plans at-a-glance
The vast majority of Lords must be elected if we are going to go some way to restoring public faith in the political system Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6338951.stm">In quotes: Reform reaction Under its plans, elected peers would represent the same regional constituencies as those used in European elections, and be chosen using party lists and a form of proportional representation - "a partially open list".
A third of seats would be elected every five years, which means members being elected for 15-year terms.
The system would eventually mean the end of "life" peerages, with a third of appointees being replaced every five years and all serving a single term of 15 years.
No peers - elected or appointed - would be able to serve more than 15 years.
While there appears to be backing among MPs for an elected element in the Lords, there is no agreement on what proportion.
Tony Blair, when asked at prime minister's questions why he did not still support a 100% appointed Lords, said he had "always expressed concern about a hybrid House", but said he was willing to back proposals based on seeking a "consensus".Tony Blair, when asked at prime minister's questions why he did not still support a 100% appointed Lords, said he had "always expressed concern about a hybrid House", but said he was willing to back proposals based on seeking a "consensus".
The vast majority of Lords must be elected if we are going to go some way to restoring public faith in the political system Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader In quotes: Reform reaction
All parties are giving their MPs a free vote on the issue.All parties are giving their MPs a free vote on the issue.
At the moment all peers are appointed, apart from the 92 hereditary peers who survived the first phase of Lords reform during Tony Blair's first term in office.At the moment all peers are appointed, apart from the 92 hereditary peers who survived the first phase of Lords reform during Tony Blair's first term in office.
A previous attempt to bring in elected peers failed in 2003 after MPs failed to back any of the range of different proportions of elected and appointed members. A previous attempt to bring in elected peers failed in 2003.
This time, Mr Straw outlined a complicated process designed to ensure that one preferred option emerges in the end so, as he put it, they can avoid a similar "train wreck" to 2003. Mr Straw said he hoped to avoid a similar "train wreck" this time.
He said the "status quo is no longer an option", adding "time and time again, the fundamental reform of the House of Lords has failed because, for some, the best has become the enemy of the good".He said the "status quo is no longer an option", adding "time and time again, the fundamental reform of the House of Lords has failed because, for some, the best has become the enemy of the good".
"Deadlock this time round would be easy to achieve. The prize of progress means moving forward gradually and by consensus," he said."Deadlock this time round would be easy to achieve. The prize of progress means moving forward gradually and by consensus," he said.
'Range of views''Range of views'
MPs will vote first on whether they want any kind of second chamber at all and then whether the current House of Lords should be reformed. MPs will be given seven options for reform: all elected; 80% elected and 20% appointed; 60% elected and 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected and 60% appointed; 20% elected and 80% appointed; or all appointed.
If they back that, they will then vote on seven options for reform: all elected; 80% elected and 20% appointed; 60% elected and 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected and 60% appointed; 20% elected and 80% appointed; or all appointed. In a controversial move, instead of going through the division lobbies, MPs will indicate their preferences in order on a ballot paper.
But, in a controversial move, instead of going through the division lobbies, MPs will indicate their preferences in order on a ballot paper. The least popular option will be knocked out and its second preferences redistributed until one option achieves a majority.
The least popular option will be knocked out and its second preferences redistributed until one option achieves a majority, in a process which would break from standard Parliamentary practice.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think each party should have an even split of seats in the Lords - to stop one party having a majority Aiden Codd, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I think each party should have an even split of seats in the Lords - to stop one party having a majority Aiden Codd, UK Send us your comments
Mr Straw said he personally preferred 50% of peers being elected, 30% being appointed from part political choices and 20% from among non-party candidates.Mr Straw said he personally preferred 50% of peers being elected, 30% being appointed from part political choices and 20% from among non-party candidates.
The White Paper does not detail how peers might be elected.
But Mr Straw said elections were likely to take place at the same time as the European elections and be based on an "open" list.
Peers would be able to resign from the Lords, be able to vote in general elections, and would serve 15 years before facing re-election.
Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said Mr Straw's proposals gave the government "more control of patronage".Shadow Commons leader Theresa May said Mr Straw's proposals gave the government "more control of patronage".
Liberal Democrat constitutional affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said: "In a modern democracy in the 21st Century, both Houses of Parliament must have elected people." She added: "With 30% of peers appointed by the parties, and 50% elected via lists controlled by the parties, these reforms will not lead to a more democratic and independent House of Lords."
He set the proportion of peers who should be elected at "at least 80%". But Liberal Democrat constitutional affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said: "In a modern democracy in the 21st Century, both Houses of Parliament must have elected people."
He said "at least 80%" of peers should be elected.
Research by the Hansard Society think-tank suggests only 6% of the public want a fully appointed House of Lords, with 82% preferring at least some elected members.Research by the Hansard Society think-tank suggests only 6% of the public want a fully appointed House of Lords, with 82% preferring at least some elected members.
Its survey of 1,980 adults suggests 40% wanted a mixture of elected and appointed members, and 42% wanted the second chamber to be fully elected.Its survey of 1,980 adults suggests 40% wanted a mixture of elected and appointed members, and 42% wanted the second chamber to be fully elected.
The White Paper suggests that the House of Lords might be renamed after it is reformed - what do you think it should be called?
Name