Letter: Proposed reforms of the House of Lords

Mr Jack Barber
Thursday 11 November 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: J. R. Lucas's proposal (Letters, 9 November) to introduce the referendum in place of the suspensory vote in the House of Lords seems fraught with difficulties, not least the steady reluctance of the British voter to turn up for duty at the polling booths.

A quarter of the electorate sits tight in a general election, more than two-thirds snub the European Parliament polls, local government voting is abysmal. In a volatile political atmosphere, such as we enjoy at present, referendums would presumably come thick and fast. There might be occasions - issues that transcend narrow sectional interests: the Road Construction (Hedgehog Underpasses) (Amendment) Bill, perhaps - when 64 per cent of the electorate (the hardly impressive turnout for the 1975 EEC Membership vote) could be induced to resolve a Lords/Commons impasse. But they would be rarities.

More likely, each referendum would prove a mere forum for the chattering classes. It would do wonders for their egos without adding much to the gloomy subtleties of parliamentary democracy.

Yours faithfully,

JACK BARBER

Farnborough, Hampshire

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in