Opinion poll reveals Labour policy has no support

Charter88 today published details of a private opinion poll that revealed that the people of Britain did not want to see the House of Lords made into a giant quango consisting only of placemen and placewomen.

Speaking in London, Charter88's Director Pam Giddy said:

"It is now quite clear that a wholly appointed Second Chamber is unacceptable to the people of Britain. Only 7% of the population support the Labour Party policy of creating a glorified quango, solely composed of political nominees, to replace the House of Lords. "

On the day before the Wakeham Commission is due to hold its first public hearing the poll also revealed that 72% thought there ought to be more consultation on Lords Reform.

Ms Giddy added:

"Nearly three quarters of the public believe that the whole reform process has been shrouded in mystery. They want to see the Government be more proactive and properly consult with the people of Britain. House of Lords reform is important for each and every one of us - we each have a stake in its future and we should each have a say.

"The Labour Party rightly campaigned against the nonsense of hereditary peers making laws which affect us all, but now it advocates a chamber which will hardly be any better. The Government must live up to its pre-election rhetoric and not simply replace one undemocratic and illegitimate chamber with another."

Notes to Editors

ICM Research interviewed a random selection of 1205 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 7-8 May 1999. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

Q1 Do you think the electorate should have the right to vote on who sits in the House of Lords, do you think the government should decide or do you think it should be a combination of the two?

Government decide	7%
Combination of electorate and government	57%
Electorate decide	28%
Don't know/not sure	8%

Q2 Do you think there is enough consultation of the public regarding the reform of the House of Lords?

No	72%
Yes	16%
Don't know/not sure	12%