The Lords will defend our liberties...

Free Radical Wed Jun 11, 2008 at 08:32:03 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

How ironic that, following the narrow passing of the 42 days legislation by the Commons, that we now depend on their Lordships to defend our traditional liberties. Not for the first time either.




So, fortunately for those of us who feel this 42 days legislation is wrong, the House of Lords will overturn the bill.

And, after it has gone back and forth between the Houses of Parliament, surely the government would not really try to use the Parliament Act to force such legislation through? Hopefully not.

But why do we depend upon a, not totally reformed, House of Lords to defend our rights against attack by the Commons? And, though I am in favour of a democratically elected House of Lords, would a truly reformed House of Lords show the same degree of opposition, or would it succumb to the deadening system of patronage and party whipping that is, in my opinion, (and despite being a loyal Labour Party member) so destructive of our democratic system.

But, at least, the throwing out of this bill by our present House of Lords will demonstrate the vital need for an effective, scrutinising second chamber. 

Come on your Lordships!

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The Lords will defend our liberties... | 5 comments (5 topical)

Re: The Lords will defend our liberties... (#1)

by NB on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:10:58 AM GMT

Precisely why the Lords should have a large element of members who are indepenent of all the political parties.

Then, when the bill comes back to the Commons, the DUP and others can extract more concessions from Gordon. Terrible - bordering on the pathetic.


Re: The Lords will defend our liberties... (#2)

by NorthernMonkey on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 02:55:15 AM GMT

If their lordships really cared about our liberty, they'd step down from the obligations and encourage the government to hold elections for the upper chamber. I doubt they'll do that.

An elected upper chamber can easily be made an effective scrutiniser of the government by making sure there are no whips and no government ministers in it.


Re: The Lords will defend our liberties... (#3)

by otware on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:22:12 AM GMT

Sort of like the senate in America, where they are so high and mighty that they run their own affairs? It's a good idea.


[ Parent ]

Re: The Lords will defend our liberties... (#4)

by bishophill on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 08:46:40 AM GMT

"If you want to be the official Labour candidate at the next Upper House elections, you'll vote for 42/60/90 days".

In America, candidates are at least reasonably financially independent of their party machines, although this just ties them to their donors instead, and it's debatable whether this is an improvement or not.

If an elected upper house is to be had, I would say there are only two alternatives. Either you are voted in for a single term, or you are voted in until you reach retirement age. That way, once you are in, you can be expected to remain reasonably free of party influence.

It's the political parties that are corrupting our democracy and striking down our liberties. We need to destroy their power. 


[ Parent ]

Re: The Lords will defend our liberties... (#5)

by jkitleft on Thu Jun 12, 2008 at 12:42:38 PM GMT

I would personally like the Lords to be abolished.

The commons should then have AV+, and strong select commitees, with ministers more strongly accountable to the commons. A Supreme Court and elected head of state should then provide further balances to the commons.


The Lords will defend our liberties... | 5 comments (5 topical)