History won’t forgive us for squandering once in a lifetime opportunity – Caroline Lucas MP

10 July 2012

 

Over 100 Conservative MPs are now threatening to join with Labour to vote against the Lords reform proposals in the Commons this evening. Ed Miliband is adamant that a last minute deal is not on the table, and is urging Labour MPs to join with Tory rebels, to vote down a "programme motion" for the bill.

 Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

 "It is desperately disappointing to see Labour playing political games over Lords Reform.  It makes no sense for them to say they support the principle of Lords Reform and then refuse to back the timetable motion - they need to will the means as well as the ends. 

 We need a proper amount of time allocated for parliamentary scrutiny and debate given the importance and constitutional significance of House of Lords reform. What we don't need, though, is for the issue to dominate Parliament at a time when the country is facing challenges like rising unemployment,  attacks on support for the most vulnerable and businesses struggling to stay afloat.

That's why I've tabled an amendment designed to increase the amount of time given to the most controversial aspects of the reform programme, namely the relationship between the House of Commons and the Lords, the future composition of the House of Lords, and methods of accountability including the right to recall,  thus reducing the risk of the whole issue being left open ended and subject to yet more political game playing.

 This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to replace our outdated, unelected second Chamber, based on patronage and privilege, with an elected body, answerable to the people - history won't forgive us for squandering it."

 

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