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House of Lords reform UPDATE

Dear Friends,

 

I consulted the whole constituency on House of Lords reform though my email list and the local press.

About 10% of my email list and some in response to the press coverage, responded, a remarkable number given the complexity of the issues, and I gave individual responses to each.  But numbers force me to use a standardised response from now on… Many thanks for your understanding.

Fortunately, I agreed with and voted along the line that the vast majority of respondents recommended.  

It is good to know we think alike.  

I abstained on only one vote, pitching in both lobbies, and that was for 60% elected, which I found less objectionable than some options, but not as sensible as the others I voted in favour of, 80% and 100%.

The 100% elected option, selected by the Commons, is likely to be heavily defeated in the Lords this week.

I will oppose Brown using the Parliament Act to force such a measure through this Parliament.   I will be fighting tooth and nail anything that puts more power into party political hands such as a LIST system for PR and other non-democratic voting systems like 15 year terms.

Watch this space and many thanks for letting me have your views…. Very few MPs actually consulted their constituents on this!

Best wishes

 

Bob