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Peers may be limited to 15 years Peers may be limited to 15 years
(about 5 hours later)
Members of the House of Lords could be limited to serving a 15-year maximum term in reforms of the chamber, Justice Secretary Jack Straw will suggest. Members of the House of Lords could be limited to serving a 15-year maximum term in reforms of the chamber, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has suggested.
Mr Straw will say a third of the new chamber would be elected at the same time as each general election. Mr Straw said a third of the new chamber would be elected at the same time as each general election.
He is expected to make the comments at an event organised by the campaign group Unlock Democracy. He made the comments at an event organised by the campaign group Unlock Democracy.
Mr Straw will renew a promise to publish proposals soon on making the House of Lords an elected chamber. Mr Straw renewed a promise to publish proposals soon on making the House of Lords an elected chamber.
Legislation to phase out hereditary peerages was introduced in July as part of a raft of constitutional changes.Legislation to phase out hereditary peerages was introduced in July as part of a raft of constitutional changes.
The government is committed to an 80% or fully-elected House of Lords.The government is committed to an 80% or fully-elected House of Lords.
Mr Straw will suggest a third of the new chamber would be elected at the same time as each general election. Mr Straw suggested a third of the new chamber would be elected at the same time as each general election.
That would make the maximum period anyone could serve 15 years, although most recent Parliaments have lasted less than the maximum five years.That would make the maximum period anyone could serve 15 years, although most recent Parliaments have lasted less than the maximum five years.
A reformed second chamber could breathe new life into Parliament while protecting the fundamental primacy of the Commons Justice Secretary Jack StrawA reformed second chamber could breathe new life into Parliament while protecting the fundamental primacy of the Commons Justice Secretary Jack Straw
Mr Straw will say that each member elected to the Lords would represent large constituencies, and that there may be potential for using a system of proportional representation. Mr Straw said that each member elected to the Lords would represent large constituencies, and that there might be potential for using a system of proportional representation.
He will say: "The 1999 reforms dramatically changed the Lords for the better. But this remains unfinished business. He said: "The 1999 reforms dramatically changed the Lords for the better. But this remains unfinished business.
"The current situation where a small remainder of hereditary peers retained their seats in the Lords was intended as an interim step, and now it is time to complete the process."The current situation where a small remainder of hereditary peers retained their seats in the Lords was intended as an interim step, and now it is time to complete the process.
"A reformed second chamber could breathe new life into Parliament while protecting the fundamental primacy of the Commons.""A reformed second chamber could breathe new life into Parliament while protecting the fundamental primacy of the Commons."