House of Lords Reform: A constituent writes

Dear Jenny,

House of Lords reform is coming up over the next year - would you consider signing the EDM and using your influence for electing the Second chamber?

The Minister for Constitutional Affairs Harriet Harman and the Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer have both publicly confirmed their intention to hold the promised free vote on the composition of the House of Lords by the end of the current Parliamentary session. This means that the most likely date for the vote could be as soon as July 2006, with a full reform Bill to be announced at the Queen's Speech one year from now.

Harriet Harman made her comments at the Progress Conference, held last month. Lord Falconer subsequently echoed these remarks at an evidence session of the Common's Constitutional Affairs Select Committee.

I would hope as Charter-88 member and supported of "Elect the Lords Campaign" that this new free vote on composition will unambiguously endorse a predominantly or wholly elected House of Lords, otherwise the issue will be lost for a generation."

Recently we heard that the tranche of life peers to be created in the New Year includes major donors to both the Labour and Conservative Parties. Do make the most of criticising this corrupt system and sign EDM 571 (edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=28820&SESSION=875).

Best wishes,
Max Wallis