MPs ‘ill-considered’ plans for a new-look House of Lords will be such an attack on the recognised pre-eminence of the House of Commons that a constitutional system which has existed for more than 100 years will need to be overhauled, legal commentators say.
Last week, the commons voted for a completely elected second chamber by 337 to 224. Although the vote does not automatically become law, it is expected to strongly influence the government when it draws up plans for a reformed second house.
Constitutional expert Dr B Mahendra says a more ill-considered example of proposed legislation is hard to find. “While some MPs were motivated by anti-reform sentiments—and hoped to provoke the peers into rejecting the proposals out of hand—many seem to have been influenced by distaste felt for the reasons underlying the current cash for honours criminal investigation. It seems hardly the basis for ‘baby and bathwater’ action unpreceded by careful thought.”
He continues: “A fully elected upper chamber—which can hardly continue to be called the House of Lords—under presumably a different
