Comments on: The myth of the ‘independent’ House of Lords https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/ Left Foot Forward is the home for UK progressives. We provide evidence-based analysis on British politics, news and policy. Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.5 By: Tamerlane https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720287 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:50:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720287 In reply to Richard MacKinnon.

I am happy defending the House of Lords and its role in governance, that it’s unelected doesn’t bother me. I will happily trade the experience, success, career expertise and superior scrutiny powers and track record of doing so for the usual rabble call of ‘democracy’ a term which, in my experience, means as much or as little as the activist wants and normally means the activist expects to rig it anyhow.
I think we agree to disagree. How very civilised for the internet these days!

]]> By: Richard MacKinnon https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720282 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:24:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720282 In reply to Tamerlane.

I agree, both the BBC and state run industry are, because they remain under state control an anachronism ( an argument can be made in defence of this existing arrangement for certain industries e.g. utilities and infrastructure to remain within state control for reasons of state security but for the sake of this discussion lets put that aside) . The difference between the HofL and state controlled industries is that at the very least there is the pretence of a selection process for jobs within state run industry, where as some members of HofL are members of the HofL because of their genes or because they have gained a certain rank in one particular religious sect.

If you are happy defending an unelected HofL and its role in the governance of the UK that is your prerogative. There is no point discussing the matter any further. I am content with my position that it is an anachronism and an affront to democracy. Let others decide.

For what its worth I would privatise the BBC and for the same reason that I would abolish the HofL; a state owned broadcaster is an affront to democracy.

]]> By: Tamerlane https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720254 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:39:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720254 In reply to Richard MacKinnon.

So’s a state funded TV station, so is state owned industry. It depends on your priorities I suppose, they’re not elected but I don’t care (I appreciate I’m in a minority there) if the purpose of a legislature is to hold the executive to account then the HoL is a far better upholder of democracy, whatever that is, than the Commons.

]]> By: Richard MacKinnon https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720253 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:21:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720253 In reply to Tamerlane.

Tamerlane, the problem most people have with the House of Lords is that it is unelected. You become a lord by appointment or by birth right. I don’t know of any other country with an unelected chamber responsible for law making, possibly only Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea.
Even die hard Tories know the HofL is an anachronism.

]]> By: Tamerlane https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720248 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:01:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720248 I wouldn’t be so hasty if I were you lot. Of the two chambers The Lords is the only one that reliably votes down government legislation and policy.This year alone it’s defeated the government on 10 legislative bills, one of which would (arguably) have seen a return to some form of poll tax, in the last ten years it’s voted against the sitting government on 400 occasions. Compare that to the rubber stamp of the Commons that votes against the government so infrequently you can, really can, count the number of times in the last ten years on one hand. I’ll stick with their Crustinesses thanks v much.

]]> By: Richard MacKinnon https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720246 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:51:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720246 I mean, can you be more hypocritical Ruby? Stop treating the electorate as fools. Wringing of hand and the sound of garments being rent is pathetic. Is it any wonder voters are repulsed by establishment Labour.

]]> By: Richard MacKinnon https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720245 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:46:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720245 We all know its the anti democratic rotten retiral home of Westminster. So why does Labour keep sending its cronies?
Stop whinging and do something.

]]> By: I'm very cross about this. https://leftfootforward.org/2015/08/the-myth-of-the-independent-house-of-lords/#comment-720241 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:06:00 +0000 https://leftfootforward.org/?p=106369#comment-720241 The Prudent One and Bliar stuffed the place with cronies but of course that was all the Conservatives fault.

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