Lawmakers vote to reform House of Lords

[maddezmom]

LONDON - British lawmakers voted Wednesday to radically overhaul Parliament's unelected House of Lords, approving a proposal to evict all remaining hereditary peers and to elect at least 80 percent of members.

After a series of House of Commons votes, legislators came out 305 to 267 in favor of developing laws to install a mix of 20 percent appointed and 80 percent elected members in Britain's second chamber.

Votes were continuing on other options; it will require legislation for the changes to take effect.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070307/ap_on_re_eu/britain_lords

[Taxloss]

1. BBC has just said that MPs have backed a 100%-elected House.

Which is very good news.

[Taxloss]

3. Full story now up:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6420965.stm

[maddezmom]

5. MPs have voted to reform the House of Lords by demanding all members are elected, not appointed

:thumbsup:

[cyberpj]

2. Just don't let them use e-voting ! nt

[Vidar]

4. Glad to see democracy on the increase somewhere.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. 100% elected option had majority of 113; 80% one of 38

which would mean, you'd hope, the legislation introduced should propose a 100% elected house. It's taken nearly 100 years to get here from when the House of Lords was first reformed; the UK may join the 20th century about 10 years after it ended ... :evilgrin:

[knight_of_the_star]

7. As something to point out about the implications of the UK being backward

The House of Lords hasn't done really anything except be a place of honor in over a hundred years. That and because they don't have to fear for their political careers if they say something they can, if they choose to debate whatever they like. It's not like they really have done anything in terms of governing the country for some time anyway.

[David__77]

8. They should abolish it.

Declaring a republic would be a good step too. The whole concept of bicameral legislature is backward. One, popularly elected house is sufficient.