We must get this House in order
you can be sure that Sir Keir Starmer will analyse a problem and come up with a solution that makes things worse. his idea of abolishing the house of lords and replacing it with an elected chamber demonstrates that he doesn’t understand the problem. Anyone who takes even the slightest interest in American politics can see what happens when you have two elected chambers with opposing views.
The real issue with the house of lords is that it has become political and has ceased to do the job it used to do so well — scrutinising the legislation passed by the Commons and ensuring it was practical, complete and legally sound. Just look at the mess we are now in with the modern slavery law, because it was not properly thought through but passed quickly by both houses without anyone working out thoroughly how it might be abused. The answer is to retain the house of lords, but reform it in two ways: limit its powers (which is not unprecedented as it has limits in respect of finance Bills), directing it instead towards scrutiny and not allowing political amendments; and change the way that peers can be appointed so that failed politicians do not make up the bulk of its new members.
Paul Seward, Princes Risborough, Bucks.