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Peers reject Lords reform plans Peers reject Lords reform plans
(10 minutes later)
Peers have rejected plans for a fully elected House of Lords - setting them on a clear collision course with MPs.Peers have rejected plans for a fully elected House of Lords - setting them on a clear collision course with MPs.
Last week MPs voted in favour of 80% or all members of a reformed second chamber being elected in the future.Last week MPs voted in favour of 80% or all members of a reformed second chamber being elected in the future.
But peers instead backed plans for a fully appointed house, voting down other options for reform.But peers instead backed plans for a fully appointed house, voting down other options for reform.
Votes are not binding but the division between MPs and peers suggests any attempt to draw up a reform bill will meet months of parliamentary gridlock.Votes are not binding but the division between MPs and peers suggests any attempt to draw up a reform bill will meet months of parliamentary gridlock.
On Wednesday, peers backed plans to remain as a fully appointed house by 361 votes to 121 - a majority of 240.On Wednesday, peers backed plans to remain as a fully appointed house by 361 votes to 121 - a majority of 240.
As the votes continued, they rejected each of six other combinations of elected and appointed peers.As the votes continued, they rejected each of six other combinations of elected and appointed peers.
PEERS' VOTES 100% appointed: Approved 361 to 12120% elected 80% appointed: Defeated without vote40% elected 60% appointed: Defeated without vote50%/50%: Defeated 46 to 40960% elected 40% appointed: Defeated 45 to 39280% elected 20% appointed: Defeated 114 to 336100% elected: Defeated 122 to 326 Plans at-a-glance Full text of White Paper Where now for Lords reform?PEERS' VOTES 100% appointed: Approved 361 to 12120% elected 80% appointed: Defeated without vote40% elected 60% appointed: Defeated without vote50%/50%: Defeated 46 to 40960% elected 40% appointed: Defeated 45 to 39280% elected 20% appointed: Defeated 114 to 336100% elected: Defeated 122 to 326 Plans at-a-glance Full text of White Paper Where now for Lords reform?
The votes are not binding - but will be considered by ministers if a reform bill is to be drawn up.The votes are not binding - but will be considered by ministers if a reform bill is to be drawn up.
In theory the Commons could force through changes against the wishes of the House of Lords, but that would be controversial and take up a great deal of Parliamentary time.In theory the Commons could force through changes against the wishes of the House of Lords, but that would be controversial and take up a great deal of Parliamentary time.
The issue then would be whether Gordon Brown, or whoever succeeds Tony Blair as prime minister, sees the reform as a high enough priority to justify the amount of government time it would be likely to take up.The issue then would be whether Gordon Brown, or whoever succeeds Tony Blair as prime minister, sees the reform as a high enough priority to justify the amount of government time it would be likely to take up.
More than 120 peers took part in two days of debate on the future of the Lords on Monday and Tuesday.More than 120 peers took part in two days of debate on the future of the Lords on Monday and Tuesday.
Commons Leader Straw, who proposed the plans, is battling to reach a compromise with the widest possible backing. Commons Leader Jack Straw, who proposed the plans, is battling to reach a compromise with the widest possible backing.
There has been some speculation that some MPs who voted for a 100% elected House of Lords last week did so to scupper plans by ensuring an option unacceptable to either the government or peers was chosen.There has been some speculation that some MPs who voted for a 100% elected House of Lords last week did so to scupper plans by ensuring an option unacceptable to either the government or peers was chosen.