ELECTED SECOND CHAMBER

Early day motion 226A1, tabled 23 October 2001 by David Clelland (Labour). Signed by 8 members.

leave out from 'House' and insert 'recognises that a second chamber wholly or substantially directly elected would inevitably divide on party political lines and that the majority party would regard its mandate as equal to that of the Government, leading to the possibility of opposing mandates and bad government; believes that, as the House of Commons represents the people by direct elections, a reformed second chamber should represent the structure of society by means of indirect elections by the great institutions and organisations in the land; and that a second chamber thus constituted would be free from patronage, have a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise but remain a second chamber.'.

Signatures by party: Labour 6, Labour/Co-operative 2.