House of Lords reform dropped

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18778639

The coalition has dropped plans for a crucial vote on its plans to reform the House of Lords after it faced likely defeat over the issue.

Up to 100 Conservatives were expected to defy the government and oppose the plan to limit the time available for debating plans for a mainly elected second chamber of Parliament.

Ministers said they were still "committed" to the plans.

But one senior Conservative MP said the plans had "lost moral authority".

The Lib Dems have been pushing proposals for an 80% elected House of Lords that is half its current size - but the Conservatives and Labour also included a commitment to seek reform in their 2010 election manifestos.

Guess they just thought democratic representation was overrated.

[Kuciwalker]

What is the point of an elected House of Lords? Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

Just get rid of it already.

[giblets]

If you're going to start electing it you might as well rename it a "senate"...

[rah]

only rich people need apply

[MOBIUS]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18778639




Guess they just thought democratic representation was overrated.

Oh FFS, Someone shoot Clegg already!!!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Do I detect an air of disgruntlement among the party ranks?

[Hauldren Collider]

The House of Lords can't even do anything, anyway, right? And aren't the lords themselves are basically appointed by the Prime Minister and the opposition? Who really cares?

[Hauldren Collider]

If you're going to start electing it you might as well rename it a "senate"...

Then they'd have to make it so Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland each got 2 senators or something...or it would just be a redundant second chamber in the legislature.

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Oh FFS, Someone shoot Clegg already!!!

Yes

[Krill]

General election in...18 months?

[Dinner]

only rich people need apply

Rich people with the right pedigree. Don't want those nouveau riche types getting in, do you? 10 generations of nobility or bust!

[Dinner]

Then they'd have to make it so Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland each got 2 senators or something...or it would just be a redundant second chamber in the legislature.

The devolution of power really was retarded. Sure, give them some small local representative body but also give England some small local representative body as well and then have a national Parliament with clearly defined powers so that when the inevitable conflict arises there is a legal way to resolve the dispute. The current mess is like they got half way to a federalist system then decided "Ahh, **** it. It's too much effort."

[MOBIUS]

Do I detect an air of disgruntlement among the party ranks?

Don't get me wrong, the Lib Dems are doing great things inside the coalition, it's just all the stuff that the public actually takes notice about they, and by 'they' I mean Nick, **** it up royally; break promises; bend over to the Tories; suck up to the Tories; looks totally naive and basically looks like a colossal ****!

Anyway, no matter how much of a colossal **** Clegg is, the other two and their parties are far worse!

[loinburger]

bc[random string of digits] will be pleased

[C0ckney]

the title of this thread is rather misleading. from what i read it was only a timetabling motion that wasn't put up for a vote. the plans are still going ahead and the bill itself was passed through to the next stage, in a separate vote.

whether the plans will survive in their current form is open to question, but this an issue where the 3 parties (or at least parts of the 3 parties) really should be able to come together and find agreement.