Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Improving our democracy
LIB DEMS PUBLISH PROPOSALS FOR A DEMOCRATIC AND REPRESENTATIVE UPPER HOUSE
The Liberal Democrats have 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. Key proposals include:
· Reduce the number of seats in the upper house and hold elections by thirds every four years
· Rename the second chamber the Senate by 2011 with all hereditary peers leaving by that date
· Allow both houses to amend secondary legislation, scrutinise European legislation and to approve treaties
· Reduce the number of seats in the upper house and hold elections by thirds every four years
· Rename the second chamber the Senate by 2011 with all hereditary peers leaving by that date
· Allow both houses to amend secondary legislation, scrutinise European legislation and to approve treaties
Waltham Forest Councillor John Beanse who is the current Chairman of Chingford & Woodford Green Liberal Democrats commented: "As well as bringing our second chamber into the 21st. century, we have an urgent need in this country to bring the House of Commons up to date by modernising its sometimes antiquated procedures and, above all, by introducing A FAIRER VOTING SYSTEM which accurately reflects in Parliament the balance of opinion in Britain."
# posted by John Beanse @ 7:54 PM 
