🚨EVENT: 'Reforming the House of Lords'🚨
Unit Director Meg Russell is joined on the panel by @Tanni_GT and @LordNortonLouth for what looks like will be a fascinating discussion on the House of Lords and reform @MileEndInst
Today at 12🕛
Sign up: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…
Unit Director Meg Russell is joined on the panel by @Tanni_GT and @LordNortonLouth for what looks like will be a fascinating discussion on the House of Lords and reform @MileEndInst
Today at 12🕛
Sign up: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…
https://twitter.com/MileEndInst/status/1331177665571807232
Meg explains that debates on Lords reform have long been a feature of British politics. Going back as far as 1911 there have been incremental reforms to the chamber.
One of the more recent changes occurred in 2014 which allowed peers to retire.
One of the more recent changes occurred in 2014 which allowed peers to retire.
Meg reminds us that debates concerning reform of the function and role of the second chamber is not unique to the UK.
Neither is the view that the second chamber is undemocratic, nor the failure to agree on reform.
So, what makes reform tricky?
Neither is the view that the second chamber is undemocratic, nor the failure to agree on reform.
So, what makes reform tricky?
In the UK, the differences in the role and functionality of the two chambers allows the second chamber to perform important roles:
▪️ a check on hasty policymaking
▪️ a source of different perspectives to that of the government.
▪️ a check on hasty policymaking
▪️ a source of different perspectives to that of the government.
At the same time, these differences leave democracies with a second chamber with a central conundrum: if the two chambers are consistently in agreement, a second chamber seems pointless; if they constantly disagree, it is problematic for policymaking.
Any huge reform requires deep thinking & public engagement.
Doing nothing would be dangerous as consistent attacks on HoL erodes legitimacy, and therefore the consequences of parliament.
Doing nothing would be dangerous as consistent attacks on HoL erodes legitimacy, and therefore the consequences of parliament.
There are some small, and immediate steps that should be taken
▪️ limiting appointments to the chamber
▪️ ending hereditary peer by-elections
You can see Meg's blog on the need to constrain ministerial appointments to the HoL here: bit.ly/364J8lb
▪️ limiting appointments to the chamber
▪️ ending hereditary peer by-elections
You can see Meg's blog on the need to constrain ministerial appointments to the HoL here: bit.ly/364J8lb
Here's the excellent line-up in action.
If you are curious about what the House of Lords does, catching up on this event is really worth your while!
#MEIHouseOfLords
If you are curious about what the House of Lords does, catching up on this event is really worth your while!
#MEIHouseOfLords
And here you can read Meg's summary blog on the options for reform of the House of Lords: bit.ly/3l2Wen3
ENDS
ENDS
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