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: It is with great sadness that we see 10 hereditary peers receive life peerages and thus bypass the elections to remain in the interim House of Lords among the 92 "Weatherill peers".
Albeit that the new house is merely transitional, this initial concession prevented the complete sweeping away of the undemocratic and unaccountable element of hereditary entitlement. Now, to add insult to injury, the Government has in effect increased the number of peers excluded from the first stage of reform to 102.
We do not deny that certain individuals in the House of Lords have experience and expertise to contribute. But if this is the case, let them stand for election, whether it be election by the people, the only solution we can see that will restore respect to a fully reformed upper chamber, or election by their peers, the compromise that we have had to stomach for the interim house.
We must not let a government with such a track record of speedy constitutional reform let itself fall into a culture of patronage at this crucial stage.
Reform of the House of Lords has reached a potential turning point. This opportunity must be taken now before it is lost and relegated to the history books as the great reform that never was.
PAM GIDDY
Director
Charter88
London N1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments