Downing Street Says » Constitutional Reforms

» Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Constitutional Reforms

Asked if the Government had decided what steps to take in the light of Monday’s defeat in the Lords on the Constitutional Reform Bill, the PMOS said that confidential discussions were continuing through the usual channels, as part of the Parliamentary process, about the way forward. What had happened on Monday was unprecedented. The Hare Coursing Bill in 1975 was the last time such a situation had occurred. In answer to further questions as to how the Government might proceed in the light of today’s Times story, the PMOS said that he had seen a number of different scenarios in the press. At this stage we were in discussion mode. Since they had not yet concluded, he was unable to give the clarity journalists wanted.

1 Comment »

As they say in Ireland – if I were trying to get there I wouldn’t start from here!

The electorate will not give a damn whether or not the Lord Chancellor is in position at the election! So this Hare bill would be just a government red herring if we were not also suspicious of Tory motives.

The government should concentrate on the change that is needed: appointment of judges and Lords reform. There is a clear consensus for the judicial appointments so get on with it!

Before radical reform of the House of Lords, we should try more modest reforms that retain the expertise and experience that is the best aspect of the Lords. Only if more modest reforms fail should we go for more radical reform such as majority elected.

The priority must be for government to look at the range of options for a democratic appointments panel.
Comment by Mike Haseler — 10 Mar 2004 on 5:00 pm | Link

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