MPs vote to increase democratic legitimacy of Parliament

10.47.52pm GMT Thu 8th Mar 2007

MPs delivered a historic vote in favour of a wholly-elected House of Lords yesterday. The Commons voted by 337 to 224 in favour of a 100% elected Lords. The motion for an 80% elected house received a smaller majority of 38. While the vote is non-binding, Leader of the House Jack Straw has promised to uphold the decision. Any legislative changes would, however, need to gain approval from the current upper house first.

Ming Campbell, Liberal Democrat Leader welcomes MPs' vote for an all-elected House of Lords

Commenting on the outcome of the night's votes on proposals to reform the House of Lords, Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said:

"This is a truly historic occasion.

"After nearly a hundred years the House of Commons has at last taken the momentous step to reform the upper house and make it fit for a modern democracy.

"This is a famous victory for progressive opinion both in Parliament and in the country."

An all-elected House of Lords will strengthen British democracy but many issues about how the two Houses of Parliament will interact in future remain to be decided

Philip James, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Bristol East said

"This unexpected result demonstrates MPs realise the importance of establishing the democratic legitimacy of our second, revising, chamber - the House of Lords."

"However, this is only the first step in making the British constitution more responsive to the needs of the British public. We must avoid a look-alike chamber full of copy-cat politicians that challenge the House of Commons for control over setting the political agenda."

"Elections to the Lords must be conducted using a proper system of proportional representation. Ideally, the electoral process should encourage those with real experience and expertise to enter the Lords via election, as many prominent British scientists, engineers, businesspeople, artists and charity workers do so now, via appointment as a life peer."