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UKLabor wants to abolish the House of Lords
British opposition leader Keir Starmer told the BBC on Monday that one of the two houses of parliament should be replaced by an elected and more representative chamber.
The House of Lords has about 800 members, who are appointed with less transparency, of whom only 29% are women. Almost half of the members are from London and South East England.
AFP
Britain’s Labor Party, in opposition for twelve years and at the top of the polls, announced on Monday its intention to replace the House of Lords with an elected chamber. On the BBC, “Labour” leader Keir Starmer promised that this “small” chamber would be “not only low-cost but also representative of the regions and countries of the United Kingdom”.
Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown, former Labor Prime Ministers (2007-2010), have launched a consultation in Leeds, in the north of England, to define the party’s platform for the next general election, which is due to be held here in two years’ time. According to opinion polls, Labor is ahead of the Conservatives in terms of voting intentions, taking advantage of the indecision among the “Tories”.
An “indefensible” entity, according to Keir Starmer
“I think the House of Lords is insecure,” Labor leader Keir Starmer told the BBC. “Anyone watching the House of Lords would be hard-pressed to say it should be kept. So we want to abolish it and replace it with an elected chamber,” he continued.
While the House of Commons – elected by popular vote – has the final say in Parliament, the House of Lords can amend or delay certain laws. The House of Lords has about 800 members, appointed with little transparency. Outgoing prime ministers appoint an “honour roll” to the House of Lords, made up of peers who are MPs for life.
Giving strong voices to Scotland and Northern Ireland
For a long time, there have been calls for the British Chamber to be more representative: only 29% of it is female and almost half of its members come from London and the South East of England. Keir Starmer also wants to “give Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of England new status and loud, proud voices in a reformed, modern England”.
“Britain is one of the most centralized systems in Europe, but the center has not kept its promises,” he criticized. “There is too much power in Westminster” and the devolution of power will “provide opportunities everywhere across the United Kingdom,” the Opposition Leader promised.
(AFP)
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