Smaller and democratic upper house needed - Hughes

5.14.58pm GMT Fri 3rd Nov 2006

House of Lords, Westminster

The Liberal Democrats have today published their proposals to create a democratically accountable upper house, which better reflects the views of the British people.

With no party having a clear majority in the Lords, the Liberal Democrats will have a crucial role in any negotiations.

The key proposals include:

• A House of Lords Reform Act to be passed in 2007

• Reduce the second chamber to 450 - 360 elected, 90 appointed

• House of Lords to be renamed the Senate in 2011, with all hereditary peers leaving by that date

• Remove automatic places for Church of England Bishops and give the Appointment Commission responsibility to ensure suitable faith representation

• Elections to take place by thirds every four years by single transferable vote, with first elections in 2011

• Extend the application of the Parliament Act to include Bills which are introduced in the Senate

• Allow both houses to amend secondary legislation, scrutinise European legislation and to approve treaties

Liberal Democrat Shadow Constitutional Affairs Secretary, Simon Hughes MP

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Constitutional Affairs Secretary, Simon Hughes MP said "It is extraordinary that the British people have waited for nearly a hundred years to complete the reform of the House of Lords.

"There is now a real chance that for the first time Britain can have a truly democratic second chamber free from patronage and sleaze. Peerages for favours must come to an end.

"There is a broad political consensus that the Upper House does not have too many powers. It is now time for the Lords to end and a modern Senate, much more representative of the country, to take over."

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords, Lord (Tom) McNally said "Our proposals are a genuine attempt at cross party co-operation. We are offering the Government a chance to agree across parties a root and branch reform of the House of Lords, based on democratic principles.

"The time has come to ask the House of Commons to reach a clear and settled view on the composition of the upper house. This paper makes a constructive contribution to that process."