Constitutional law was a compulsory subject when I studied for my law degree. When I suggested to my law lecturer that the House of Lords should be an elected body he commented that it would never happen. His arguments were:
1. The Lords is a revising chamber.
2. It can only delay bills, it cannot stop them. The Parliament Acts ensure the supremacy of the Commons over the Lords.
3. The Commons would not countenance a rival elected body.
The proposal that a new upper chamber be elected by some form of proportional representation will give it legitimacy and inevitably will lead to conflict between the Commons and the new upper house.
I don't think the consequences of having a second democratically elected chamber have been worked out. Comparisons with other countries are meaningless.
KENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: acerbic, carping, caustic, curmudgeonly,critical, cynical, grumpy, moaning, sardonic and plain speaking.
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