George – “house of Lords should be abolished and replaced with a citizens assembly”
West Cornwall & Isles of Scilly MP Andrew George has argued that reform of the House of Lords should focus on creating a genuinely independent chamber free from political patronage. He said, if it couldn’t be reformed, it would be better to turn into a museum.
Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on House of Lords reform yesterday evening (20 October), Andrew said the current system of political appointments is “both corrupting and extremely corruptible” and called for a fresh approach which strengthens independent scrutiny of legislation.
Andrew said, “Reform should commence by asking ourselves what a second Chamber is for? Most people agree it’s at its best when it offers sober second-thought and independent scrutiny; when it puts aside party political tribalism view on the legislation.”
While recognising that many people propose an elected second chamber, Andrew questioned whether that would create new difficulties.
“Of course, I can entirely understand the laudable and emotional response that one elects the Chamber, but there is a risk… that it becomes either a lapdog or a logjam to this Chamber.”
He added: “If we had an elected second chamber, some in the Lords might reasonably argue they have equal democratic legitimacy to the Commons, and which could lead to constitutional gridlock.”
Instead, Andrew proposed a reformed upper chamber combining a smaller number of independently appointed members with a much larger citizens’ assembly model, selected in a similar way to jury service.
“I have often said that we want to retain the best of the House of Lords Appointments Commission because it provides at least a template of a helpful function.”
“The rest of it should be on a jury service basis, or in other words, a citizens assembly.”
Andrew concluded by arguing that Parliament should focus on creating a second chamber capable of providing genuinely independent scrutiny.
“We need to find other ways of ensuring that we have the genuine and sober second-thought and independent scrutiny that this Chamber needs and deserves. Otherwise, quite frankly, it would be better to turn the place into a museum.”
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