House of Lords

[Pat494]

REFORM OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS
1. Invite the top people from the professions, sport, literature, arts, politics etc etc. to be members of the House and take part in debates whenever they may choose.
2. Have a minum age of 50 to guarantee some maturity and experience of life
3. Have a maximum age of 70. Old enough and to make way for the next generation.
4. All members have a vote.

In fact La crème de la crème at their country’s call. This elitist assembly would counter balance and compliment the choice of the masses ( Commons )

 

[barjon]

ah, but who is going to do the inviting :cheesy:

 

[Trader333]

1. Invite the top people from the professions, sport, literature, arts, politics etc etc. to be members of the House and take part in debates whenever they may choose.

Why ? Being top in a profession or other activity is no measure of moral standards which is what is needed in the House to prevent outright corruption by government.


Paul

 

[Pat494]

Naturally it would depend on the government to set it up. They might welcome it as they presently lack any coherent plan.
I was hoping that the country might benefit from the expertise of top people. Some reps from the various churches would no doubt keep an eye on the moral values. Probably a lot less scandals than in the Commons though. Even with Jordan sitting in the front row ?

 

[trendie]

sorry to pour cold water on this - just me being a typical cynic.

we have the government we deserve, as we have a society that puts more effort into voting for vacuous, shallow morons on X-factor and Big Brother, than we do in electing our politicians.

Politics is more than putting a cross on a piece of paper once every 5 years, its about being involved on a local basis.
People dont want to do anything for themselves with regards to morality and ethics, but feel the politicians ought to be better/different. This is a cop-out by the electorate.

Even if the House of Lords were elected by the people, the people would not take any notice of them.
Jordan could be elected, as per Pat494, but should she ever voice a well-argued, and balanced viewpoint that contradicted the simpleton masses viewpoint, she would be barracked about gettting above her station. Tall poppy syndrome.

We need to get back to the feudal and/or meritocratic system, as democracy is too precious to be in the hands of the hoi-poloi. (sp)

 

[barjon]

mm, a lot of people generally let sleeping dogs lie until they get really fed-up, then they vote. At such times the popular vote is usually about getting rid of the lot in office which means voting for the strongest opposition party whether or not you happen to like their policies.

I'd like two elected chambers. One responsible for the long term policy directions and the other for day to day administration and shorter term decisions. The first chamber could veto the second if those shorter term decisions flew in the face of the long term strategies.

 

[Pat494]

A major point of my thesis is that none of the members would be elected ( no party hacks here ) but be invited on the strength of their achievements and take part in debates should they wish to attend. Jordan might be a bit past it by 50 anyway !
Perhaps have guests and associate members from overseas ?
Be great debates ! No govt arm-twisting/bribery etc. Actors ad actresses would be represented too