This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jun/25/a-democracy-to-reflect-the-will-of-the-people
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
A democracy to reflect the will of the people | A democracy to reflect the will of the people |
(2 days later) | |
Most peers would agree with Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society (Letters, 20 June) that the current byelections for hereditary peers are absurd. But there is no need to go over to an elected Lords to get rid of them. Adopting Bruce Grocott’s bill now before parliament would abolish them simply and swiftly. | Most peers would agree with Darren Hughes of the Electoral Reform Society (Letters, 20 June) that the current byelections for hereditary peers are absurd. But there is no need to go over to an elected Lords to get rid of them. Adopting Bruce Grocott’s bill now before parliament would abolish them simply and swiftly. |
Readers might ask why the Electoral Reform Society, formed to campaign for a change to more proportional voting systems, is denigrating the current Lords and demanding an elected alternative. The answer is simple. By common consent an elected Lords would not be chosen by the same first-past-the-post system as the Commons. Indeed, if the Lords were elected more proportionately, it would arguably have more legitimacy than the Commons, forcing the Commons to go over to a more proportional system. Like Hughes I would welcome such a system. However, as democrats we have to remember that the 2011 referendum went against such a change. Better to campaign openly to reverse that result than to try to subvert it by turning the House of Lords into a rival for power with the Commons.David LipseyHouse of Lords | |
• Parliament can’t afford to be left behind, affirmed Gaby Hinsliff (Our politics has lost touch with the way we live, 23 June). Just as millennials do their politics differently so too, I suggest, do those of us who have experienced politics over a much longer period. The Houses of Commons and Lords exist largely unchanged, when 20 years ago political power was devolved to most parts of the UK, except England. Now Westminster operates regardless of this change. The House of Lords remains a sanctuary for retired politicians and those enjoying political patronage. Our electoral system no longer reflects the will of the people, but rather entrenches a two-party system. Our democracy requires a radical overhaul; where are the politicians able to transform a system no longer fit for purpose?Tom JacksonStockport | • Parliament can’t afford to be left behind, affirmed Gaby Hinsliff (Our politics has lost touch with the way we live, 23 June). Just as millennials do their politics differently so too, I suggest, do those of us who have experienced politics over a much longer period. The Houses of Commons and Lords exist largely unchanged, when 20 years ago political power was devolved to most parts of the UK, except England. Now Westminster operates regardless of this change. The House of Lords remains a sanctuary for retired politicians and those enjoying political patronage. Our electoral system no longer reflects the will of the people, but rather entrenches a two-party system. Our democracy requires a radical overhaul; where are the politicians able to transform a system no longer fit for purpose?Tom JacksonStockport |
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
Politics | Politics |
Proportional representation | Proportional representation |
Electoral reform | Electoral reform |
House of Lords | House of Lords |
House of Commons | House of Commons |
Brexit | Brexit |
letters | letters |
Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
Share via Email | Share via Email |
Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
Reuse this content | Reuse this content |