Reform of the House of Lords

Question 1

What are five problems with the house of lords?

Answer 1

• It is unelected – lacks democratic legitimacy and accountability
• It still has 92 hereditary peers
• It is socially unrepresentative. Live in the South-East, elderly, white, male, upper-middle class.
• 25 archbishops and bishops from the CoE
• The Law Lords (now Supreme Court judges) used to sit in the House (though this ended in 2009)

Question 2

What are five possible options for the Lords Reform?

Answer 2

• Complete abolition: end of bicameralism and introduction of unicameralism, the House of Commons only. Not popular
• Replacing current chamber with a completely elected body (using a different electoral system, so that its composition is different from that of the Commons). A popular option.
• A partly elected, partly appointed chamber (probably 80:20).
• A completely appointed chamber (seats in proportion to those in House of Commons) Not Popular
• No change

Question 3

What 4 Reforms of the House of Lords have occurred since 1997?

Answer 3

• Hereditary peers were removed from the House (Parliament Act 1999) 92 remain
• The Wakeham Commission set up by Labour proposed a partially elected and partially appointed chamber, voted on a series of reform proposals, none were accepted
• Attempts to reform have met determined opposition from members, Commons divided on which approach to take.
• Attempt by Nick Clegg to create a democratic House of Lords in 2012 failed due to lack of support from Conservative backbenchers.

Question 4

What was Nick Cleggs plan?

Answer 4

• Most or all peers (80-100%) t through a PR system (Regional Closed List) for 15 year term of office
• Elections held 5 years (for 1/3 of peers) rotating basis – expertise retained.
• More democratic, more legitimate able to scrutinise the government better.
• Closed List used - not democratic (list controlled by the party leadership) and Lords do not have constituents, and more time to revise legislation.
• Parliament Acts no longer apply nor the Salisbury Convention
• Not perfect – accountability problem – but address most concerns