A referendum would give the country its say in any House of Lords reforms
This year the powers and membership of the House of Lords will again be
considered by Parliament. Changes of such importance should not depend only on
a compromise between the current members of the Commons and of the Lords.
Creating a precedent allowing any future government to revisit the subject,
making yet more changes based on a simple majority and a vague manifesto
promise is also dangerous. Important changes to the governance of this country
should be made only after the electorate has been consulted through a
referendum.
The answers to only two questions would provide the essential information.
(I) Do you consider that the powers of the House of Lords should be increased,
remain the same or be decreased? (II) Which of the following should be the main
method used to select members of the House of Lords? (a) direct election (as
for the House of Commons), (b) selection by non-party bodies (including trade
unions, business organisations, professions, religions, charities, each body
selecting a specified number of members), (c) appointment by a commission
(members of this to be appointed by the Government), (d) appointment by local
and other elected government bodies (eg county councils, devolved governments,
each selecting a specified number of members). Voters should be asked to
indicate a first and a second choice of method for selection, as many may wish
for more than one method to be used.
This referendum would provide a clear indication of the wishes of the
electorate, giving a framework within which Parliament would be responsible for
filling in the detail. Ideally an independent commission would advise
Parliament on such matters as length of service, size of constituency for
direct elections, allocation of numbers of members for choices (b) and (d),
titles, and details of any changes in powers. I have given evidence to the
Wakefield Commission and have written before supporting selection by non-party
bodies, to ensure a second chamber composed not of whipped party politicians,
but of members bringing a wealth of practical experience and wisdom to
government.
Political parties will have their reasons for preferring a particular outcome:
they may wish to retain their influence on the House of Lords, they may wish to
diminish its powers greatly, so that our political system becomes even more of
an elected dictatorship, or they may simply wish for more job opportunities for
career politicians. Holding a referendum is the only way to ensure that changes
in the membership and powers of the second chamber will reflect the views of
the country, and will receive general acceptance.
PROFESSOR SIR DILLWYN WILLIAMS
Cambridge
- Arif, UK
- Read (or listen) Koran - The Last Testament.
- Return
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