Lords reform “on ice”

Guy Aitchison (Bristol, OK): Jack Straw today told MPs that the Government was determined to press ahead with Lords reform - though he suggested that nothing would be done this Parliament. Instead a "comprehensive reform package" would be included in Labour's next manifesto based on a white paper to be released at the end of this year following cross-party talks. Although there was strong support back in March for a fully elected second chamber (a majority of 113) today's debate heard from diverse voices reflecting the range of contrasting, and often contradictory, positions. Unrepentant unicameralists, self-confessed "antediluvian troglodytes", impatient democrats - all had their say. Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Herbert welcomed Straw's support for a wholly or substantially elected second chamber but suggested that the real message was reform "on ice until after the next election". On the other hand backbencher Sir Patrick Cormack claimed to reflect the true position of most Tory MPs when he accused Straw of wanting to "destroy" the constitution. The Lib Dem Simon Hughes simply urged the Government to get on with it. Straw, who has gone from backing 0 to 80% elected in the last five years, added that he was ready to "look again" at the issue of electoral systems and also consider whether ministers should be able to appear in either house.