With the focus on the electoral system for the House of Commons we should not forget the House of Lords. Its electoral system is patronage, the most corrupt and undemocratic possible. Any reinvention of our democracy must include turning us into a democracy. This means a completely elected House of Lords.
Shifting to a democratic institution where currently there isn’t one does allow a great deal of thought to go into the system of election. With no constituency base there is an opportunity to move straight to a proportional system without worrying too greatly about boundaries. My current thinking is that the second Chamber should be elected on a fixed term (not hung up on the number of years not less than 4 not more than 8 ) and regional. With large populations voting with a system, say like that for the European Union elections, and around 200-300 representatives we could see a very diverse second chamber with a clear democratic mandate to scrutinise the legislation of the House of Commons.
So you’re proposing a system of time-serving party hacks for the Lords then?
I thought I was proposing the opposite
How would an individual independent compete with the party machines across a whole region?
The only people who can afford that kind of campaigning are the same old, same old or the super rich.
Plus I assume that it will be a party list system where the parties fill their lists with their obscure time-serving hacks?
Two points:
1) They might only need a strong vote in one county to get elected
2) The growing power of social media could make it possible to take on the machines with little cost
Are you thinking of running Lord Blogger of Totterdown?
I have mentioned to anyone who will listen the idea of election by lottery. But, for the House of Lords, it is ideally suited.
The House of lords currently has over 700 members. But if we cut it down to one for each constituancy, we could elect a single person by lottery to sit as the “lord” reviewing legislation as part of a people’s jury. If it works in the criminal courts, there is no reason why it should not work in the lords.
This would save a fortune in election costs, avoid the miserable scene of a second house full of career party hacks (every two years we could have a new lottery) and bring a real people’s presence into the Houses of Parliament.
Come on Paul, pull the other one.
1. To get a strong enough vote in one county/city to win at a regional level is near impossible for anyone, let alone an independent. Most people who vote, vote for the same party year-in year-out. To persuade these people otherwise to rack up enough votes to win would involve a lot of money indeed.
2. There’s no evidence whatsoever that social media has this ‘power’ you claim. I’d put money on the party machine every time. Besides, I suspect that anyone attracting a big following through alternative means would also have to go down the ‘cor blimey guv’ populist route. Do we want a Lords filled with anti-immigration, flog ’em ‘n’ hang ’em types?
Surely we’re looking for more cerebral types in a scrutiny chamber?
I think Harry’s on the right track although maybe it’s a bit too random? Maybe we could look at banning parties and using caucauses or something?
BB see my blog on political parties
The essential evil of a democratic system. Don’t know if you were involved in the Bristol Party, under PR they probably would have got a councillor.
Certainly at a regional level of PR the Greens would have seats (although so would BNP) in a second chamber. Don’t see why a popular independent couldn’t sneak in if they pitched the platform right or more likely you might get some new parties formed or reformed to take advantage of the system.
I think there is some national grouping of independents being formed to support independents in national elections.
Random selection of candiates is essential if you want a representative sample of the population. That is why jury trials work so well. And contrary to the assumptions of the snobs, juries always manage to get a proper grasp on the subject matter. Even within a group of 12, the prejudices balance out.
If we want the House of Lords to be a place where legislation is vetted and reviewed, then surely this is the only way.
By the way, I agree entirely with The BB’s view on what will happen if the second chamber is elected by party democratic methods. Whipped elected reps giving whipped and spun questions and answers (with the odd populist independent or minor party). Even more disenchantment and even lower voter turn outs.
Citizen juries have sometimes been used to get people to look in detail at policy issues. I do wonder – on those odd moments what the council would be like if selected by lot – my guess if that the senior officers would have even more control than now (if that is possible), the parties should allow collective action from members to overcome the power of the bureaucracy.
I think lots may have been used in some ancient civilisations. It does raise questions of who would be prepared to give up a substantial amount of their time to become a representative and the impact on careers etc. Many people already opt out of jury service because of the work pressures – that is typically for a couple of weeks, how would it work for a year or even four?
Paul – I agree that the system of election by lottery might be more problematic at council level or as a first tear parliament.
The beauty of the idea of a lottery lords is that they would be the second tear parliament and supported by a civil service.
As regards who would be prepared to give up the time, it would have to be compulsory, as jury service is now (opting out of jury service is less of an option now that it used to be). But, given the title of “Lord” and a decent salary (and of course the expenses), I doubt that many would try and get out of it.
Given that there would be no career beyond a first term, no re-election, no party whip and a return to the real world after service, we could expect far more bravery and honesty than the current system creates.
Did they have this system in parts of the ancient world?