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Labour plans to side with Tory rebels to disrupt coalition's Lords reform bill Labour plans to side with Tory rebels to disrupt coalition's Lords reform bill
(about 1 hour later)
Labour is preparing to block the flagship Lords reform bill by rejecting any timetable for MPs to debate the bill, ensuring David Cameron will have to drop the measure or see the wider parliamentary programme unveiled on Wednesday grind to a shuddering halt. Labour is preparing to block the flagship House of Lords reform bill by rejecting any timetable for MPs to debate the bill, ensuring David Cameron will have to drop the measure or see the wider parliamentary programme unveiled on Wednesday grind to a shuddering halt.
The government has unveiled a modest 15 bills and four draft bills in the Queen's speech, but insisted it was economic growth, not new laws, that would be its primary focus over the next year.The government has unveiled a modest 15 bills and four draft bills in the Queen's speech, but insisted it was economic growth, not new laws, that would be its primary focus over the next year.
Labour sources told the Guardian that they will vote with Tory rebels to reject a timetable for debating the Lords bill, so ensuring all Commons business will be at mercy of Labour and Tory rebels. Labour sources told the Guardian that they would vote with Tory rebels to reject a timetable for debating the Lords bill, so ensuring all Commons business would be at mercy of Labour and Tory rebels.
Even with a timetable, MPs will have to set aside more than 15 days to debate the bill on the floor of the Commons. Labour will oppose even an extended timetable if the bill does not propose a referendum, a 100% elected chamber and greater clarity about the powers of the two houses.Even with a timetable, MPs will have to set aside more than 15 days to debate the bill on the floor of the Commons. Labour will oppose even an extended timetable if the bill does not propose a referendum, a 100% elected chamber and greater clarity about the powers of the two houses.
Wayne David, shadow constitutional affairs minister, said: "We are in favour of Lords reform, but the government plans do not set out a stable, coherent long-term relationship between the two houses. We favour a 100% elected second chamber, and no bishops. Finally, reform of this nature has to be subject to a referendum. These [measures] are vital to Labour."Wayne David, shadow constitutional affairs minister, said: "We are in favour of Lords reform, but the government plans do not set out a stable, coherent long-term relationship between the two houses. We favour a 100% elected second chamber, and no bishops. Finally, reform of this nature has to be subject to a referendum. These [measures] are vital to Labour."
The timetable for the bill's progress through parliament, known as a programme motion, would be voted upon immediately after the bill's second reading, and will be seen as a critical moment in the bill's passage. The bill is likely to be introduced before summer recess, but after a report from a joint Lords-Commons committee.The timetable for the bill's progress through parliament, known as a programme motion, would be voted upon immediately after the bill's second reading, and will be seen as a critical moment in the bill's passage. The bill is likely to be introduced before summer recess, but after a report from a joint Lords-Commons committee.
Cameron is caught between fierce opposition to reform on his own benches, Labour criticism of the bill, and the determination of Nick Clegg to press ahead with a reform that has been delayed for 100 years. A senior Liberal Democrat warned Cameron against backtracking on a personal commitment to Clegg that he would support the reforms – if necessary by using the Parliament Act to overcome Lords opposition. The source said: "It has taken a long time to restore trust after the way Cameron behaved on the referendum on AV. If he betrays Nick for a second time on Lords reform, the coalition will be severely destabilised." Cameron is caught between fierce opposition to reform on his own benches, Labour criticism of the bill, and the determination of his deputy Nick Clegg to press ahead with a reform that has been delayed for 100 years. A senior Liberal Democrat warned Cameron against backtracking on a personal commitment to Clegg that he would support the reforms – if necessary by using the Parliament Act to overcome Lords opposition. The source said: "It has taken a long time to restore trust after the way Cameron behaved on the referendum on AV. If he betrays Nick for a second time on Lords reform, the coalition will be severely destabilised."
Cameron told MPs on Wednesday he supported Lords reform, even if it was less important than economic reform, but indicated he would not bulldozer through reforms. He said: "This is only going to proceed if the political parties will agree to work together and take a responsible attitude towards this reform. I think it is possible, and it would be a good reform if we could achieve it; it would be better if we had a smaller House of Lords and if it had an elected element. So I ask people to work together across party lines to try to make that happen." Cameron told MPs on Wednesday he supported Lords reform, even if it was less important than economic reform, but indicated he would not bulldoze through reforms. He said: "This is only going to proceed if the political parties will agree to work together and take a responsible attitude towards this reform. I think it is possible, and it would be a good reform if we could achieve it; it would be better if we had a smaller House of Lords and if it had an elected element. So I ask people to work together across party lines to try to make that happen."
He also expressed his opposition to a reform referendum – likely to be another point of common cause between Labour and Conservative rebels. He said: "Every political party went into the election with a pledge to reform the House of Lords so I do not personally see a referendum as having much to recommend it."He also expressed his opposition to a reform referendum – likely to be another point of common cause between Labour and Conservative rebels. He said: "Every political party went into the election with a pledge to reform the House of Lords so I do not personally see a referendum as having much to recommend it."
Liberal Democrats were delighted the bill had made the Queen's speech, but were scathing about Conservative critics that claimed constitutional reform was a diversion. One senior Liberal Democrat said: "It is breathtaking hypocrisy. Our Conservative colleagues are happy with constitutional reform so long as it is about police commissioners, redrawing constituency boundaries, referendums for Mayors, or voter registration. That is fine – but if it is about something they don't agree with, it is a distraction." Liberal Democrats were delighted the bill had made the Queen's speech, but were scathing about Conservative critics who claimed constitutional reform was a diversion. One senior Liberal Democrat said: "It is breathtaking hypocrisy. Our Conservative colleagues are happy with constitutional reform so long as it is about police commissioners, redrawing constituency boundaries, referendums for mayors, or voter registration. That is fine – but if it is about something they don't agree with, it is a distraction."
Liberal Democrat sources were not threatening reprisals if Cameron failed to push hard to get Lords reform through the Commons, but did point out that detailed plans to redraw the constituency boundaries still require votes in the Commons and Lords next year. The redrawn boundaries are seen as vital to the Tories securing an overall majority at the next election. Liberal Democrat sources were not threatening reprisals if Cameron failed to push hard to get Lords reform through the Commons, but did point out that detailed plans to redraw the constituency boundaries still required votes in the Commons and Lords next year. The redrawn boundaries are seen as vital to the Tories securing an overall majority at the next election.
In its first wave of constitutional reform for this session, the government will publish a bill on Thursday to change the way electoral registration is organised, moving it from a household basis to an individual basis. The bill will for the first time impose a civil penalty if an individual refuses to register to vote. The fine is likely to be in the order of £100, or the equivalent of a parking fine.In its first wave of constitutional reform for this session, the government will publish a bill on Thursday to change the way electoral registration is organised, moving it from a household basis to an individual basis. The bill will for the first time impose a civil penalty if an individual refuses to register to vote. The fine is likely to be in the order of £100, or the equivalent of a parking fine.
The original government proposals suggested no sanction for refusing to register – a shift that led to warnings that millions of mainly poor voters would drop off the register, so increasing disengagement from democratic politics.The original government proposals suggested no sanction for refusing to register – a shift that led to warnings that millions of mainly poor voters would drop off the register, so increasing disengagement from democratic politics.
Under the present system of household registration, refusal to co-operate with the electoral registration officer can lead to a criminal penalty of up to £1,000. In practice very few cases – less than 200 – were pursued in the courts.Under the present system of household registration, refusal to co-operate with the electoral registration officer can lead to a criminal penalty of up to £1,000. In practice very few cases – less than 200 – were pursued in the courts.
Either by chance or design, the Liberal Democrats have secured a large part of the 15-bill programme. Lib Dem ministers are at the helm of pension reform, an enterprise bill, banking reform, and an energy bill. After backroom battles, Clegg also ensured that a controversial communications data bill, covering the right of intelligence agencies to access emails and text messages, will first appear in draft form.Either by chance or design, the Liberal Democrats have secured a large part of the 15-bill programme. Lib Dem ministers are at the helm of pension reform, an enterprise bill, banking reform, and an energy bill. After backroom battles, Clegg also ensured that a controversial communications data bill, covering the right of intelligence agencies to access emails and text messages, will first appear in draft form.
Senior Conservative MP David Davis warned ministers faced a "tsunami of reaction" from MPs opposed to the proposal to open up such communications to the police and security services.Senior Conservative MP David Davis warned ministers faced a "tsunami of reaction" from MPs opposed to the proposal to open up such communications to the police and security services.
Davis delivered a powerful speech criticising three flagship bills: he warned the communications bill would anger the "tens of millions of people" that it would affect; said proposed secret courts were "entirely unjust"; and claimed that the draft reforms to the House of Lords would fundamentally undermine its role in holding "overpowerful executive" governments to account.Davis delivered a powerful speech criticising three flagship bills: he warned the communications bill would anger the "tens of millions of people" that it would affect; said proposed secret courts were "entirely unjust"; and claimed that the draft reforms to the House of Lords would fundamentally undermine its role in holding "overpowerful executive" governments to account.
After warning he would not support the government over secret courts, Davis added: "The government came in with a very grand, important liberal – with a small 'l' and a big 'L' – tradition to hold up, a tradition which supported freedom and justice. These two measures [the communications bill and secret courts] will, if we're not very careful, undermine that tradition, undermine our reputation in this – and they're not improving protection against terrorism, just the reverse: making it worse."After warning he would not support the government over secret courts, Davis added: "The government came in with a very grand, important liberal – with a small 'l' and a big 'L' – tradition to hold up, a tradition which supported freedom and justice. These two measures [the communications bill and secret courts] will, if we're not very careful, undermine that tradition, undermine our reputation in this – and they're not improving protection against terrorism, just the reverse: making it worse."
Stephen Dorrell, the Tory chair of the health select committee, voice disapointment about the failure to meet the promise to legislate in this session of parliament on social care, with a promise only of a draft bill.Stephen Dorrell, the Tory chair of the health select committee, voice disapointment about the failure to meet the promise to legislate in this session of parliament on social care, with a promise only of a draft bill.