Press Release

Contact : Richard Burt 07970 713 032

Embargo: Immediate 8th February 2007

SIR MICHAEL SPICER MUST SAY GOODBYE TO CRONYISM, SAYS RICHARD BURT

West Worcestershire’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt has challenged Sir Michael Spicer MP, to vote for an end to cronyism.

The government publish their proposals for reform of the House of Lords today yesterday, and Richard Burt has hit out at them, saying,

“The vast majority of peers should be elected. Conservative MPs like Sir Michael should stand up for West Worcestershire and demand fair representation for local people.

“Reform of the House of Lords is long overdue, but the government still want to be able to appoint their cronies to make our laws.”

The government want only half of the House of Lords to be elected and most of the rest appointed by political parties. The remainder would be appointed by an independent commission.

Richard Burt said,

“Half is just not good enough.

“If we are to have a fair and representative second chamber, we need the vast majority of peers to be elected and for politicians to have no hand in picking the rest.

“Sir Michael Spicer should stand up and vote with my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the House of Commons to bring an end to cronyism.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The government’s White Paper was published today and proposes that:

• Half of peers to be elected, 30% political appointees and 20% appointed by the independent appointments commission;
• Appoint no new hereditary peers;
• Appoint no new life peers;
• Members to hold office for a non-renewable term of 15 years;

Liberal Democrats believe:

• The majority of the House of Lords should be elected, with no more than 20% appointed by an Independent Appointments Commission
• There should be no additional political appointees;
• No more hereditaries and no more life peers created. Hereditaries should cease to serve at the date of the first elections;
• Members should be elected under a system that gives voters real choice (such as the Single Transferable Vote);
• We propose three fixed 4 year terms, i.e. 12 years non-renewable.
• Reformed Lords (and Commons) should retain its powers of scrutiny over the government.

A vote on the proposals is expected in early March.