Clean up the Lords

CHEERS for the Mail’s campaign for reform of the House of Lords. The institution has been transformed from a day centre for harmless old hereditaries to a costly debating place for decayed party politicians.

Why not go for random selection of peers by electronic means and end the tie with party politics?

JoHN MYLES, Peterborough, Cambs. THE idea that the Lords represent the public and should interfere with the elected government’s programme is ludicrous as they represent only a narrow group.

Most people see them as an antiquated relic. The ideal second chamber would be a politically neutral body to scrutinise legislation honestly and suggest amendments based on sound practical knowledge. Their powers should ultimately be subservient to those of the elected government.

To achieve this we need a cross section of people without agendas or loyalties. I would suggest a similar system as is used to select people for jury service. Randomly pick one person from every parliamentary constituency to serve for four years.

This ought to guarantee a diverse selection of people with all sorts of skills: a Belfast barrister, a Hebridean nurse, a West Country farmer or a Welsh aerospace engineer.

There would be less incentive for empire building or to become cosy with politicians in order to further careers, as these Lords would be returning to their old lives and jobs once their fixed term was up.

STEVE BRACEY, Bristol. IF WE change the system so Lords are chosen by members of professional bodies (Letters), it would be full of upper-middle-class, universityeducated, professional types. That won’t be much different from the majority of those in the Commons.

RoN ToDD, Yate, Glos.