The creation of a Senate
Replace the Lords with a representative Senate, says Commission on Political Power
The Commission on Political Power has published a paper setting out options for reform of the House of Lords that does not include directly elected politicians.
Maintaining the current system is not tenable, the paper says. The appointments system has been heavily controlled by the prime minister and past prime ministers, leading to cronyism and corruption.
The independent Commission has gathered ideas from experts and the public and its paper suggests 10 ideas for reform:
1. The Senate would be a legislative body not a club or sinecure
2. Its purpose should be to uphold and protect the constitution and the rights of citizens, to hold the government to account, to review and improve legislation
3. Representative democracy could involve rotation of elected mayors and council leaders and ' functional constituencies' comprising people elected from education, trades union, vocational, scientific and other bodies
4. The appointments commission should be fully independent and on a statutory footing
5. The Senate should be composed of 400 to 600 members, some of whom could be part time professionals to bring in current expertise
6. Hereditary peers could apply to the appointments commission in the same way as members of the public
7. Church of England Bishops would no longer sit as of right
8. Term limits would avoid jobs for life but allow people to gain expertise
9. Senators would require appropriate administrative and research support
10. Innovation and democracy requires looking at new ideas to enhance parliamentary democracy
Baroness Frances D'Souza, Co-Convenor, said: "Trust in politicians has fallen and we need to eradicate corrupting influences and cronyism. The Commission on Political Power is suggesting radical ideas for public consideration. Doing nothing is not an option."
Frances Crook, Co-Convenor, said: "The House of Lords is an undemocratic anachronism and change must come. I'm not convinced that direct elections will necessarily provide improved democracy and just having more professional politicians may not enhance public confidence. I hope the Commission's ideas will generate debate so we can find a solution fit for the next generation."