Alexandra Runswick (London, Unlock Democracy):
"We must not lose the opportunity to make further and more fundamental reform happen."
We couldn't agree more Jack and Unlock Democracy for one will be keeping you to that promise to reform the House of Lords. But what did the statement yesterday reveal about the Government's intentions? Firstly that decisions taken by the House of Commons are what matters. The votes in March have changed the political landscape, there can be no going back to piecemeal solutions that will satisfy no-one. The House of Lords can, and in all likelihood will, continue to oppose reform but the indications are that a fourth term Labour Government would be prepared to use the Parliament Act to ensure a predominantly or wholly elected second chamber.
Secondly the myth that there is no consensus is no longer being used as a block to reform. While we agree that the constitution shouldn't be redesigned on a whim, and that cross party agreement should be sought wherever possible, consensus is not the same thing as complete agreement. There has been a broad based consensus for reform for years, demonstrated time and again by the Elect the Lords campaign, but sometimes a Government needs to lead.
Which brings me onto the 'could do better' school report moment; the commitment to publish another white paper by the end of the year is welcome, but does not go far enough. We accept that it won't be possible to get a Bill through all of its parliamentary stages by the end of this Parliament, but another white paper isn't really trying very hard is it? Don't just make another polite suggestion, publish proposals and debate them in the House of Commons. The Government can then go into the election with not just an aspiration to reform but a proven track record.
