How much longer can they lord it over us?

IT WAS a mixed sort of weekend. The weather took on an apocalyptic turn, my car’s electronic system went into psycho mode while the Welsh rugby team did a damned good impersonation of the UK economy (struggling and directionless).

Oh, and Labour announced the abolition of the House of Lords.

No details are available, save that it’s going to be one of the those “first term” undertakings for a new government.

This is by no means the first time installing an elected second chamber has been mooted. Plans have seldom made it to the legislative stage though.

Frustrated commoners have thus implemented a series of Parliament Acts and other devices over the years to limit or otherwise redefine the scope and powers of their noble lordships.

However, this time around, the motivation for change seems to be less about constitutional reform as stopping the practice of largesse towards party donors.

Outgoing prime ministers have the ability to nominate individuals in recognition of service to the nation or whatever. This is notionally subject to endorsement by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, who have a somewhat patchy record. Not that things were much better under Labour.

If reform and/or replacement of the House of Lords makes it onto the manifesto then an interesting conundrum for Keir Starmer will be what kind of electoral system is to be used. Having recently set his face against proportional representation to elect a House of Commons, he may find PR to be a viable alternative for the other place.