Plans for abolition of House of Lords to be unveiled

[Quintus]

But the difference is that when they got in the country was in a strong economic position and they didn't have to, nor did they want to, change the economic policy. The next government will inherit a country on the rails.

What a recommendation to vote Labour!!

Kenneal, I have a feeling we'll never agree on this because you think the country was in a strong economic position in 1997. I think we were in a dire state.

North Sea oil was about to peak and we were flogging it at record low prices, manufacturing and industry were being run down and service industries, banking and finance were to be our future (huge error); add to that neo conservative de-regulation, privatization and low interest rates as universal cure alls. We were developing a culture that promoted extreme individualism (compared to most of the world), consumerism and an unsustainable life style. The Conservatives and Labour must share the guilt for the damage and lost opportunities of the last 30 years.

I can’t speak for others but I’ve not said "vote Labour". I've said a few times that I'm voting for a hung parliament. I've also said I don't think it is in Britain's interest to have more of the same under Labour or a neo Conservative administration. I've argued for PR and coalition governments because I believe we are facing a crisis and we need long-term thinking and planning.

[2 As and a B]

The Telegraph - 14/03/10

Plans to abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a 300-strong, wholly elected second chamber are to be unveiled by ministers in a key political move ahead of the general election.

A wholly elected second chamber would be a party political chamber and that would be a BAD THING. Even a partly elected second chamber would over time (if there IS time available before TSHTF) become, unstoppably, a fully elected party political second chamber as power accrues power to itself.

I think that a second chamber selected by lottery - one entry per person (only those that want to) based on something like NI number for something like a three year term (that's 1/3 selected every year - or 1/4 if a 4-year term) would be interesting.

Random! *

Of course, strict anti-corruption and anti-embezzlement rules would have to be put in place!

* Off-topic I know, but did anyone hear the unseeded (and unofficial) World Cup grouping draw on Radio Five Live one Saturday morning shortly after the real, seeded (fixed) draw? Some of the groups were real crackers, and much more interesting and fairer than the real draw!

[Grizzly Mouse]

I think the second chamber should be filled with people selected randomly, like juries! Any other form of selection would just lead to the entrenchment of the current corrupt establishment, or more electioneering.

[Quintus]

I think the second chamber should be filled with people selected randomly, like juries! Any other form of selection would just lead to the entrenchment of the current corrupt establishment, or more electioneering.

Lord Quintus? Nice, I could get used to it. I'd like to be given a platform to speak regardless of whether I had expertise or anything worthwhile to say. It would be the political equivalent of reality TV.

[Aurora]

I think the second chamber should be filled with people selected randomly, like juries! Any other form of selection would just lead to the entrenchment of the current corrupt establishment, or more electioneering.

Lord Quintus? Nice, I could get used to it. I'd like to be given a platform to speak regardless of whether I had expertise or anything worthwhile to say. It would be the political equivalent of reality TV.

[PS_RalphW]

Anybody can now have their name put forward to the current House of Lords appointment committee. I'm sure the nomination forms are on the relevant web site somewhere.

Good luck!

[edit]
http://lordsappointments.independent.go ... tions.aspx

[RenewableCandy]

I think the second chamber should be filled with people selected randomly, like juries! Any other form of selection would just lead to the entrenchment of the current corrupt establishment, or more electioneering.

Bloody excellent idea! I served on a Jury once, and believe me, when given a responsibility like that, helped along by a suitable atmosphere of gravitas, people really do rise to the occasion.