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| Sewel scandal: Lords badly in need of reform, but who will take it on? | Sewel scandal: Lords badly in need of reform, but who will take it on? |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Lord Sewel’s resignation from the House of Lords came with a carefully constructed statement aimed at clawing back some authority for a much diminished institution. | Lord Sewel’s resignation from the House of Lords came with a carefully constructed statement aimed at clawing back some authority for a much diminished institution. |
| “As a subordinate second chamber, the House of Lords is an effective, vital but undervalued part of our political system. I hope my decision will limit and help repair the damage I have done to an institution I hold dear,” he wrote. | “As a subordinate second chamber, the House of Lords is an effective, vital but undervalued part of our political system. I hope my decision will limit and help repair the damage I have done to an institution I hold dear,” he wrote. |
| Some hope. Demands for further reform of the Lords have swiftly followed three days of lurid headlines as Sewel allegedly described fellow peers as criminals, boasted about allowances spent on sex workers and drugs and bad-mouthed fellow parliamentarians. | Some hope. Demands for further reform of the Lords have swiftly followed three days of lurid headlines as Sewel allegedly described fellow peers as criminals, boasted about allowances spent on sex workers and drugs and bad-mouthed fellow parliamentarians. |
| All this from a man who was the public face of probity in the second chamber – he was chair of the privileges and conduct committee, which rules on disciplinary matters and can recommend the suspension of peers. | All this from a man who was the public face of probity in the second chamber – he was chair of the privileges and conduct committee, which rules on disciplinary matters and can recommend the suspension of peers. |
| In 2012, he was also elected as chairman of the committees – a job seen as more powerful than Speaker of the Lords – and automatically became a deputy speaker. | In 2012, he was also elected as chairman of the committees – a job seen as more powerful than Speaker of the Lords – and automatically became a deputy speaker. |
| Related: Lord Sewel quits House of Lords over sex and drugs claims | Related: Lord Sewel quits House of Lords over sex and drugs claims |
| But read on in Tuesday’s resignation statement and the problems of policing and reforming the second chamber are exposed. “The question of whether my behaviour breached the code of conduct is important but essentially technical,” Sewel wrote. | But read on in Tuesday’s resignation statement and the problems of policing and reforming the second chamber are exposed. “The question of whether my behaviour breached the code of conduct is important but essentially technical,” Sewel wrote. |
| In other words, the very rules that Sewel had introduced to punish errant peers may not be airtight enough to punish a peer who allegedly spent his Lords salary on a night of drugtaking and paid-for sex at his taxpayer-subsidised apartment. | |
| Under rules that came into force this year, peers could theoretically be expelled if they are found to have breached the code of conduct that all members are expected to uphold. | Under rules that came into force this year, peers could theoretically be expelled if they are found to have breached the code of conduct that all members are expected to uphold. |
| The code requires members to act in the public interest and in accordance with the seven general principles of conduct identified by the committee on standards in public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. | The code requires members to act in the public interest and in accordance with the seven general principles of conduct identified by the committee on standards in public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. |
| The problems of enforcing such a code are self-evident – no peer has yet been expelled. To pave the way for this, the Lords would need to change its standing orders: the rules that govern its business. | The problems of enforcing such a code are self-evident – no peer has yet been expelled. To pave the way for this, the Lords would need to change its standing orders: the rules that govern its business. |
| Before any expulsion can be enforced, inquiries by the Lords authorities can take up to 18 months, and only begin after any police inquiries have been completed. | Before any expulsion can be enforced, inquiries by the Lords authorities can take up to 18 months, and only begin after any police inquiries have been completed. |
| Those found to have breached rules have often been allowed to return. Peers such as Lord Taylor, Baroness Uddin and Lord Laird who have been temporarily suspended for expenses fraud, lobbying scandals and other misconduct can all be seen gracing the red benches. Lord Archer even remained a peer after being jailed for perjury. | Those found to have breached rules have often been allowed to return. Peers such as Lord Taylor, Baroness Uddin and Lord Laird who have been temporarily suspended for expenses fraud, lobbying scandals and other misconduct can all be seen gracing the red benches. Lord Archer even remained a peer after being jailed for perjury. |
| Since 2014, peers convicted of a crime carrying a prison sentence of more than a year are permanently barred from the Lords although they are allowed to retain their titles. | Since 2014, peers convicted of a crime carrying a prison sentence of more than a year are permanently barred from the Lords although they are allowed to retain their titles. |
| Related: David Cameron to appoint more Tory peers to the House of Lords | Related: David Cameron to appoint more Tory peers to the House of Lords |
| But the problems of policing and reforming the Lords have existed for more than 100 years. Clement Attlee, frustrated by the house’s institutional conservatism, memorably compared the chamber to “a glass of champagne that has stood for five days”. | But the problems of policing and reforming the Lords have existed for more than 100 years. Clement Attlee, frustrated by the house’s institutional conservatism, memorably compared the chamber to “a glass of champagne that has stood for five days”. |
| This view of the second chamber as stagnant remains. Few peers have spoken publicly about the allegations against Sewel, mindful of the clubbable atmosphere in the Lords’ tea rooms and bars. | This view of the second chamber as stagnant remains. Few peers have spoken publicly about the allegations against Sewel, mindful of the clubbable atmosphere in the Lords’ tea rooms and bars. |
| Critics argue the Lords has become too big – it has nearly 850 active members, a number that could swell to more than 1,000 over this parliament – and that it is an affront to democracy that the vast majority of its members are appointed, not elected. | Critics argue the Lords has become too big – it has nearly 850 active members, a number that could swell to more than 1,000 over this parliament – and that it is an affront to democracy that the vast majority of its members are appointed, not elected. |
| Yet previous attempts at reform under successive Labour and coalition governments have had limited success. Tony Blair came into office in 1997 promising an early abolition of hereditary voting rights as part of a wider reform to move towards an elected second chamber. | Yet previous attempts at reform under successive Labour and coalition governments have had limited success. Tony Blair came into office in 1997 promising an early abolition of hereditary voting rights as part of a wider reform to move towards an elected second chamber. |
| By the time Gordon Brown left office in 2010, 92 hereditary peers remained in the house, while many of those elevated to the second chamber were donors and close advisers to political parties. Labour also suffered the indignity of a criminal inquiry into claims that it had sold peerages. | By the time Gordon Brown left office in 2010, 92 hereditary peers remained in the house, while many of those elevated to the second chamber were donors and close advisers to political parties. Labour also suffered the indignity of a criminal inquiry into claims that it had sold peerages. |
| Related: The real Lord Sewel scandal is financial, not sexual | Suzanne Moore | Related: The real Lord Sewel scandal is financial, not sexual | Suzanne Moore |
| Attempts by the coalition government to move to a largely elected Lords foundered in 2012 amid opposition from peers as well as Conservative and Labour MPs. | Attempts by the coalition government to move to a largely elected Lords foundered in 2012 amid opposition from peers as well as Conservative and Labour MPs. |
| David Cameron on Tuesday let it be known that Lords reform is not a priority. Instead, he hopes to ennoble new Tory peers as he attempts to push through policies on Europe and welfare. | David Cameron on Tuesday let it be known that Lords reform is not a priority. Instead, he hopes to ennoble new Tory peers as he attempts to push through policies on Europe and welfare. |
| Under the coalition, the Tories and the Lib Dems combined enjoyed a majority of politically aligned peers. But, on their own, the Conservatives now fall far short. | Under the coalition, the Tories and the Lib Dems combined enjoyed a majority of politically aligned peers. But, on their own, the Conservatives now fall far short. |
| The government could respond to calls for reforms to the way peers are remunerated. Peers who are not ministers are not paid a salary but receive a flat-rate daily attendance allowance of £150 or £300. Sewel received a salary because he held an official role. In return, peers are expected to attend and contribute to debates and other proceedings in the Lords. | The government could respond to calls for reforms to the way peers are remunerated. Peers who are not ministers are not paid a salary but receive a flat-rate daily attendance allowance of £150 or £300. Sewel received a salary because he held an official role. In return, peers are expected to attend and contribute to debates and other proceedings in the Lords. |
| During the last parliament, peers were accused of “clocking on” to receive the money without undertaking any substantial work. One peer, Lord Hanningfield, was suspended for a year in 2014 for claiming allowances he was not entitled to. | During the last parliament, peers were accused of “clocking on” to receive the money without undertaking any substantial work. One peer, Lord Hanningfield, was suspended for a year in 2014 for claiming allowances he was not entitled to. |
| Meanwhile, Lords grandees are beginning the task of rebuilding a tarnished reputation. Lady Stowell, leader of the Lords, said on Tuesday: “I welcome Lord Sewel’s decision to resign permanently. For the House of Lords to earn the confidence of the public, all of us must respect the privileges that come with a peerage and recognise that – because we are unelected – it is especially important to meet the standards the public have a right to expect, and to act swiftly when we fail.” | Meanwhile, Lords grandees are beginning the task of rebuilding a tarnished reputation. Lady Stowell, leader of the Lords, said on Tuesday: “I welcome Lord Sewel’s decision to resign permanently. For the House of Lords to earn the confidence of the public, all of us must respect the privileges that come with a peerage and recognise that – because we are unelected – it is especially important to meet the standards the public have a right to expect, and to act swiftly when we fail.” |