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| Straw unveiling Lords reform plan | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The government is unveiling its long-awaited Lords reform plans, which are expected to propose that some of its members are elected in future. | |
| The White Paper will offer MPs the chance to decide on the proportions of peers to be elected or appointed. | The White Paper will offer MPs the chance to decide on the proportions of peers to be elected or appointed. |
| Commons leader Jack Straw wants a 50/50 split but will offer options ranging from all elected to none elected. | Commons leader Jack Straw wants a 50/50 split but will offer options ranging from all elected to none elected. |
| The plans, an attempt to end long-term deadlock, will also propose cutting the number of peers from 746 to 540. | The plans, an attempt to end long-term deadlock, will also propose cutting the number of peers from 746 to 540. |
| 'Vast range of views' | 'Vast range of views' |
| The White Paper - a document which puts government ideas to MPs for consultation before a final bill is drafted - is being outlined to MPs by Mr Straw. | |
| There have been reports of a generous redundancy package being offered for the remaining 92 hereditary and appointed peers, although it is thought that may not be in the White Paper. | There have been reports of a generous redundancy package being offered for the remaining 92 hereditary and appointed peers, although it is thought that may not be in the White Paper. |
| The vast majority of Lords must be elected if we are going to go some way to restoring public faith in the political system Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader | The vast majority of Lords must be elected if we are going to go some way to restoring public faith in the political system Sir Menzies CampbellLiberal Democrat leader |
| Mr Straw's plans are expected to propose a double threshold to ensure that candidates put forward by politicians meet criteria of "propriety and suitability". | Mr Straw's plans are expected to propose a double threshold to ensure that candidates put forward by politicians meet criteria of "propriety and suitability". |
| While there appears to be backing for the idea that there should be elected element in the Lords in future, there is no agreement on what proportion should be elected and what proportion appointed. | While there appears to be backing for the idea that there should be elected element in the Lords in future, there is no agreement on what proportion should be elected and what proportion appointed. |
| Tony Blair, when asked at prime minister's questions why he did not still support a 100% elected Lords, said he had "always expressed concern about a hybrid House". | |
| But he added: "We believe it is right to try and seek consensus." | |
| Mr Blair said he would support the proposals put forward by Mr Straw. | |
| At the moment all peers are appointed, apart from the 92 hereditary peers who survived the first phase of Lords reform during Tony Blair's first term in Number 10. | At the moment all peers are appointed, apart from the 92 hereditary peers who survived the first phase of Lords reform during Tony Blair's first term in Number 10. |
| A previous attempt to bring in elected peers failed in 2003 after MPs voted on a range of different proportions of elected vs appointed peers, with no single option getting majority backing. | A previous attempt to bring in elected peers failed in 2003 after MPs voted on a range of different proportions of elected vs appointed peers, with no single option getting majority backing. |
| This time round Mr Straw is expected to outline a complicated process designed to ensure that one preferred option emerges in the end. | This time round Mr Straw is expected to outline a complicated process designed to ensure that one preferred option emerges in the end. |
| 'Range of views' | 'Range of views' |
| It is understood this process will see MPs voting first on whether they want any kind of upper house at all and then whether the current House of Lords should be reformed. | It is understood this process will see MPs voting first on whether they want any kind of upper house at all and then whether the current House of Lords should be reformed. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I think each party should have an even split of seats in the Lords - to stop one party having a majority Aiden Codd, UK Send us your comments They will then vote on seven options for reform: all elected; 80% elected and 20% appointed; 60% elected and 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected and 60% appointed; 20% elected and 80% appointed; or all appointed. | HAVE YOUR SAY I think each party should have an even split of seats in the Lords - to stop one party having a majority Aiden Codd, UK Send us your comments They will then vote on seven options for reform: all elected; 80% elected and 20% appointed; 60% elected and 40% appointed; half and half; 40% elected and 60% appointed; 20% elected and 80% appointed; or all appointed. |
| Instead of going through the division lobbies, MPs will indicate their preferences in order on a ballot paper. | Instead of going through the division lobbies, MPs will indicate their preferences in order on a ballot paper. |
| The least popular option will be knocked out and its second preferences redistributed until one option achieves a majority, in a process which in itself would break from standard Parliamentary practice. | The least popular option will be knocked out and its second preferences redistributed until one option achieves a majority, in a process which in itself would break from standard Parliamentary practice. |
| Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Reform of the House of Lords is long overdue but the government's proposed position is unsatisfactory and unsustainable... it will not end political nominations or the corrosive suspicion that seats in the second chamber are sold by political parties." | Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Reform of the House of Lords is long overdue but the government's proposed position is unsatisfactory and unsustainable... it will not end political nominations or the corrosive suspicion that seats in the second chamber are sold by political parties." |
| Former chancellor Ken Clarke, who is leading a Tory working group on constitutional reform, has said he favours having mostly elected peers. | Former chancellor Ken Clarke, who is leading a Tory working group on constitutional reform, has said he favours having mostly elected peers. |
| But some prominent Conservative MPs, including Patrick Cormack and John Maples, are said to prefer appointed members. | But some prominent Conservative MPs, including Patrick Cormack and John Maples, are said to prefer appointed members. |
| Research by the Hansard Society think-tank suggests only 6% of the public want a fully appointed House of Lords, with 82% preferring at least some elected members. | Research by the Hansard Society think-tank suggests only 6% of the public want a fully appointed House of Lords, with 82% preferring at least some elected members. |
| Its survey of 1,980 adults suggests 40% wanted a mixture of elected and appointed members, and 42% wanted the second chamber to be fully elected. | Its survey of 1,980 adults suggests 40% wanted a mixture of elected and appointed members, and 42% wanted the second chamber to be fully elected. |