Later MPs will vote on whether to totally restructure the House of Lords making 80% of the upper chamber elected, however the proposal championed by Nick Clegg faces considerable opposition from Labour as well as up to 100 of his Tory counterparts.
Despite the criticism Clegg and his proposal has received, I think it’s a good idea, the House of Lords plays a crucial role in the democratic process in Britain, any new piece of government legislation is sent to the Lords for analysis and their advice is often taken on board.
They are also the highest court in the land, anyone who appeals against a decision taken in the high court will be referred to the Lords, bearing this in mind the idea that most of them should be elected does make sense.
Labour reformed the Lords in 1999 by greatly cutting the numbers, now the government want to take the obvious next step by making the Lords a mostly elected chamber.
Currently all Lords are either appointed or assume the title as a result of their family name, if today’s vote were to prove successful it would mean people other than wealthy families and former MPs would stand (no matter how small) a chance to sit in the Lords and carry out its duties.
Sadly it looks like the government may well be defeated in the vote, but while many may say this is a tough test for the coalition, I say it’s a tough test for Nick Clegg.
Ever since this coalition was formed he has seen his reputation plummet and if the vote goes against him today it would render him pointless, because what’s the point of having these good ideas if you have no support and never get the chance to put your ideas in place.
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