This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26564109
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Minister rejects quotas to raise region's voice in Lords | Minister rejects quotas to raise region's voice in Lords |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A government minister has ruled out special quotas to increase the low representation of the East Midlands in the House of Lords. | A government minister has ruled out special quotas to increase the low representation of the East Midlands in the House of Lords. |
But Baroness Sandip Verma of Leicester, says the region needs to speak up louder so its voice can be heard. | But Baroness Sandip Verma of Leicester, says the region needs to speak up louder so its voice can be heard. |
Lady Verma, a Conservative peer, was responding to a survey that revealed only 2% of working peers were from the region, as I reported in an earlier blog. More than a quarter are from Greater London. | Lady Verma, a Conservative peer, was responding to a survey that revealed only 2% of working peers were from the region, as I reported in an earlier blog. More than a quarter are from Greater London. |
"I was surprised it was only 2%, but we mustn't go down the road of having a certain percentage from each region," she told me. | "I was surprised it was only 2%, but we mustn't go down the road of having a certain percentage from each region," she told me. |
"What we do in the House of Lords is to scrutinise legislation for the whole of the country. | "What we do in the House of Lords is to scrutinise legislation for the whole of the country. |
"Representation is really up to the House of Commons and it's for them to reflect their constituents and regions." | "Representation is really up to the House of Commons and it's for them to reflect their constituents and regions." |
It was research based on figures from the House of Lords library that shows that out of 432 so-called working peers, who attend 50% of sittings, only nine were from the East Midlands. Baroness Verma is one of them. | It was research based on figures from the House of Lords library that shows that out of 432 so-called working peers, who attend 50% of sittings, only nine were from the East Midlands. Baroness Verma is one of them. |
"I'm afraid we in the Midlands aren't really good at showcasing those people who be should be nominated for the House," she added. | "I'm afraid we in the Midlands aren't really good at showcasing those people who be should be nominated for the House," she added. |
Baroness Verma was appointed to the Lords by David Cameron in 2006. In fact, she chose her mother's birthday on 22 June for her formal introduction as a member of the "Upper House". | |
She's now a junior minister in the Department for Energy and Climate Change. | She's now a junior minister in the Department for Energy and Climate Change. |
But she accepts that the system of nominations to the Lords can be difficult to navigate. | But she accepts that the system of nominations to the Lords can be difficult to navigate. |
"I think we need to talent-spot ourselves, so we can bring forward people from the Midlands - both East and West - who should be here. | "I think we need to talent-spot ourselves, so we can bring forward people from the Midlands - both East and West - who should be here. |
"We must make our voices louder. But there mustn't be a false system to achieve that, otherwise it becomes just about lists, targets and numbers." | "We must make our voices louder. But there mustn't be a false system to achieve that, otherwise it becomes just about lists, targets and numbers." |
A Labour peer, Nottingham-based Baroness Ruth Lister, had earlier raised concerns over the low level of East Midlands representation. | A Labour peer, Nottingham-based Baroness Ruth Lister, had earlier raised concerns over the low level of East Midlands representation. |
But does Lady Verma believe the region is at a disadvantage when legislation is made and shaped by the Lords? | But does Lady Verma believe the region is at a disadvantage when legislation is made and shaped by the Lords? |
"No, I don't agree with that. If MPs are doing their jobs, it's for them to raise the concern of their areas and regions. | "No, I don't agree with that. If MPs are doing their jobs, it's for them to raise the concern of their areas and regions. |
"Our job is to look at the legislation 'in the round' and to ensure that concerns raised by elected members are reflected in how the legislation is formulated," she added. | "Our job is to look at the legislation 'in the round' and to ensure that concerns raised by elected members are reflected in how the legislation is formulated," she added. |
Ruth Lister had told me there was no "easy fix" to regional under-presentation. | Ruth Lister had told me there was no "easy fix" to regional under-presentation. |
Baroness Verma certainly wants more East Midland voices in the Lords. But how to achieve that, she says, is a real dilemma. | Baroness Verma certainly wants more East Midland voices in the Lords. But how to achieve that, she says, is a real dilemma. |
The issue will be debated on Sunday Politics East Midlands on BBC One at 11:00 BST with Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, and Labour's Chris Williamson, MP for Derby North. |
Previous version
1
Next version