HOUSE OF LORDS REFORM

Early day motion 279, tabled 15 December 2003 by John Barrett (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 68 members.

That this House notes the House of Lords Reform Bill which will abolish the remaining 92 hereditary peers leaving a fully appointed House of Lords; notes that the Government's main argument for not progressing with a substantially or wholly elected House of Lords is because of a lack of consensus, shown by the Commons divisions of 4th February; further notes that if the House of Lords Reform Bill receives Royal Assent, it will produce a House of Lords which was rejected by the House of Commons by 323 votes to 245, but that the option of having an 80 per cent. elected / 20 per cent. appointed House of Lords was rejected by only 284 to 281; believes there is clearly a greater consensus for an 80 per cent. elected second chamber than a wholly appointed House of Lords; and therefore calls on the Government to proceed with reforming the upper House on this basis in line with its manifesto commitment.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 27, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1.