Liberal Democrats demand elected upper house fit for the 21st Century
March 6, 2007 12:00 AM
Commenting ahead of the House of Commons debate on House of Lords reform, Liberal Democrat Shadow Constitutional Affairs Secretary, Simon Hughes MP said:
"This is a great opportunity for the House of Commons to modernise and democratise the British Parliament for the 21st century.
"It would be a serious setback to our democratic credentials as a country if the Commons does not vote this week for a wholly or predominately elected second chamber.
"Liberal Democrats have agreed that we will all vote en masse for at least four out of five of the members of the upper house to be elected.
"We hope all progressive MPs will join us. It is time to complete the modernisations of the House of Lords, which began 100 years ago. If the elected Commons does speaks for reform, then the unelected Lords must not stand in our way."
Commenting further, Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House, David Heath MP said:
"The Liberal Government of 1911 started the process of reform of the Lords but we are still waiting for it to be completed.
"If the British Parliament is to achieve democratic legitimacy then the upper house must be wholly or predominantly elected.
"MPs must take this opportunity to drag the British legislative process kicking and screaming into the 21st Century and vote for a 100% or 80% elected second chamber."
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