Lazarowicz calls for new elected Senate of Nations and Regions
Speaking in a debate at Westminster on House of Lords reform called by SNP MP Pete Wishart yesterday, Mark Lazarowicz MP called for it to be axed altogether and replaced with a new elected Senate of the Nations and Regions to be created following a major Constitutional Convention.
Speaking afterwards, the North & Leith MP said: “I strongly welcome Labour’s plan for a new elected Senate of the Nation and Regions to be created by a major Constitutional Convention: I believe it should be 100% elected by PR to represent fully the nations, cities and regions of the whole of the UK.
“The Commons would remain preeminent but as well as acting as a platform for all parts of the UK to make their voices heard the Senate would hold over-mighty governments to account and make governments think again on legislation.
“We need to act now to move to an elected second Chamber which is why the Constitutional Convention is so important to thrash out the exact form it will take and not take decades to reach a new settlement.”
Ed Miliband announced Labour’s plan for a new elected Senate of the nations and regions in November. Mark Lazarowicz is a longstanding supporter of an elected Second Chamber and proportional representation and he intervened in the debate today to make the case again. He said the Government’s response showed no urgency to move towards a more democratic Second Chamber, let alone a fully elected one.
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