Sunday, February 01, 2009
Holding the Lords to account
Some encouraging news this morning that peers who avoid tax or have criminal convictions - such as Lord Archer and Lord Black - are to be expelled from the House of Lords in the wake of the lords for hire scandal.
The Sunday Times tells us that the reforms are being drawn up by Jack Straw, the justice secretary, in an attempt to restore the Lords’ battered reputation after last weekend’s revelations in The Sunday Times. He plans to enact the legislation necessary to expel them before the general election, which has to be held by May next year.
Peers who are “non-domiciled” or “non-resident” for tax purposes - there are thought to be at least seven - will lose their seats, as will those who have been convicted of a serious criminal offence. But why has it taken so long?
The Government are fiddling on the margin. Even with these reforms there will be no proper accountability. How long do we need to be shouting for before we get direct elections to the second chamber?
The Sunday Times tells us that the reforms are being drawn up by Jack Straw, the justice secretary, in an attempt to restore the Lords’ battered reputation after last weekend’s revelations in The Sunday Times. He plans to enact the legislation necessary to expel them before the general election, which has to be held by May next year.
Peers who are “non-domiciled” or “non-resident” for tax purposes - there are thought to be at least seven - will lose their seats, as will those who have been convicted of a serious criminal offence. But why has it taken so long?
The Government are fiddling on the margin. Even with these reforms there will be no proper accountability. How long do we need to be shouting for before we get direct elections to the second chamber?
