Lib Dems call for end to cronyism

6.30.48pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 7th Feb 2007

Elect the Lords

Local Conservative MPs must say goodbye to cronyism, says Councillor Ben Prescott.

The government publish their proposals for reform of the House of Lords today, and Cllr Prescott has challenged local MPs Tobias Ellwood and John Butterfill to vote for an end to cronyism. He hit out at the Labour government, saying:

"The vast majority of the Lords should be elected. Our Conservative MPs should stand up for Bournemouth and demand fair representation for local people.

"Reform of the House of Lords is long overdue, and Tony Blair still wants to be able to appoint his cronies to make our laws."

Proposals are for half of the House of Lords to be elected and most of the rest appointed by political parties. The remainder would be appointed by an independent commission.

"Half is just not good enough," said Ben Prescott

"If we are to have a fair and representative second chamber, we need the vast majority of peers to be elected and for politicians to have no hand in picking the rest.

"Our MPs should stand up and vote with the Liberal Democrats in the House of Commons to bring an end to cronyism."

The government's White Paper was published today and proposes that:

• Half of peers to be elected, 30% political appointees and 20% appointed by the independent appointments commission;

• Appoint no new hereditary peers;

• Appoint no new life peers;

• Members to hold office for a non-renewable term of 15 years;

Liberal Democrats believe:

• The majority of the House of Lords should be elected, with no more than 20% appointed by an Independent Appointments Commission

• There should be no additional political appointees;

• No more hereditaries and no more life peers created.

• Hereditaries should cease to serve at the date of the first elections;

• Members should be elected under a system that gives voters real choice (such as the Single Transferable Vote);

• We propose three fixed 4 year terms, i.e 12 years non-renewable.

• Reformed Lords (and Commons) should retain its powers of scrutiny over the government.

A vote on the proposals is expected in early March.