Released Monday 13 May, 2002

Following the announcement by the Government that it will establish a Joint Consultative Committee to consider the way forward on House of Lords reform, and give a free vote in the Commons on the issue, Karen Bartlett, Director of Charter88, said:

"This represents a victory for those campaigning for a democratic UK Parliament including those in the Government who have consistently supported a majority-elected second chamber."

"A Joint Committee should not be used to try to minimise the proportion of elected members by conceding ground to peers. They were isolated as the only group to favour a mainly appointed second chamber in response to the Government's White Paper and should listen to the overwhelming weight of opinion."

"These proposals must not be used as a delaying tactic by the opponents of reform. There is no reason why a Committee should not meet and report quickly. The evidence of opinion in Parliament and outside is clear. Parliament should be given its free vote by the summer, and legislation to move to a new chamber should be in the Queen's Speech in November."

"If the Joint Committee recommends less than a majority-elected chamber it will have ignored 89% of respondents to the White Paper, the Public Administration Committee, most MPs and the majority of the public who have made their views known."

Other headline figures from the analysis of responses to the Government's White Paper released today:

• 57% of respondents supported 80% or more members directly elected
• Over 90% of CLPs who responded wanted a majority elected chamber
• 56% of respondents wanted STV to be used for electing members
• 75% wanted all appointments to be via an independent commission, none by political parties
• 67% favoured a chamber of 300-400
• 56% opposed the continuation of bishops in the reformed chamber
• 72% opposed the continuation of law lords in the reformed chamber

Chris Lawrence-Pietroni, Deputy Director, is available for interview.

Policy: 020 8880 6088 policy@charter88.org.uk