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18/06/2007

Roberta debates Lords Reform at Durham Union Society

Roberta Blackman-Woods MP (City of Durham - Labour) led the debate at the Durham Union Society, Durham University's debating society, on Friday 15 June in support of the motion,

"This house supports a substantially elected second chamber."

Roberta was joined in moving the motion by Lord Livsey, a Liberal Democrat Peer. The motion was opposed by Crossbencher Earl Sandwich and Conservative MP Edward Leigh.

Roberta said,

"I think who makes our laws and scrutinises our Government matters. I argue that the current House of Lords is too unrepresentative of the people electorally, politically, demographically and geographically. For instance, out of 401 peers created between 1997 and this year only 8 were resident in the North East while more than half were resident in London and the South East. I think that such a London-centric second chamber is unhealthy. Election using the regional list system would certainly deal with this problem and the North East would get its fair proportion of representation.

"I don't think we should be scared of letting people decide for themselves who serves in the upper house. We claim to be a democracy, and yet one of our houses of parliament does not actually represent the people at all.

"I am supporting an 80% elected and 20% appointed House. I recognise the important role that many peers play in our legislature and I want to make sure that those who contribute, but who would not stand for election, could carry on offering their expert insight in the many areas they already do, but that a substantial majority would represent the regions and nations of the United Kingdom and hopefully look like a more accurate cross-section of this country."

 

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