Abolition of the House of Lords

After two days of debate and 91 Tory MPs revolting against the government, one thing is very clear; the House of Lords Reform Bill is dead in the water. There is clearly no appetite for it now, not in its current state and for it to be considered seriously, it needs to become a different bill altogether.

Yes the current Bill was passed by a handsome majority of 338 MPs – 462 votes to 124 MPs but there is a strong feeling that such a huge constitutional change cannot be rushed through to appease or even honour an agreement.

If we put to one side the appalling timing of these reforms; it is no secret our country is under great pain and in my opinion as it is the opinion of many, both Parliament and the Coalition Government should be fully focused on fixing the nation’s economy, not constitutional reforms.

Never thought I will side with Labour but on this occasion, I too believe such a significant change to the foundation of our democracy should not be decided in committee rooms or late night sitting alone. It should be decided by the public. The people whom its outcome it will directly affect and the voters who will decide who should represent them.

There is no doubt in my mind that there are aspects of the upper house that needs refreshing, but there also should be a referendum on a better developed bill. The House of Lords in its current form had served us well for centuries and if we are to abolish it for a new fully or partially elected house, we then owe it to our history, tradition, our nation and not to mentions our Lords, for the people to be consulted. That is the democratic way to do things!

The institution that served us well for centuries cannot and should not be transformed without consulting those who will directly be affected by its reforms.