So, that coalition then

[nwhyte]

I could probably get a vote in tomorrow's special Lib Dem conference fairly easily; it has been called at such short notice that I doubt that all the voting reps of the Brussels branch of the party will be able to go, and substitutes will probably be welcome. I won't go, as I am not sufficiently active in the party these days and also have other

Comments

[nickbarnes]

An elected senate increases legislative checks on the executive, which I think would be a good thing. The long terms being proposed are good, and may reduce the seesaw effect; the combination of AV for one house and PR for the other might be enough to provide the common sense we need. If we do get that, maybe then we could remove the supremacy of the AV house.

I would rather see a system with an elected executive, and a second house which is less partisan (maybe by selection by public debate in some sort of committee according to some sort of plainly meritocratic rules, with confirmation by an AV or PR house), but that's much harder to get to from here.

For now, although I'm fearful of the economic consequences of Tory-led cuts, I am pretty optimistic about this government, which is far better than the electorate deserved.

[yea_mon]

I'd be fearful of having a populist pissing match going on with a Senate and the Commons - especially if it leads to the kind of climate change denialism as has been seen in Oz.

On the subject of the old Lords - I once listened to a very interesting programme on the radio which featured Lord Fitt (ex-Irish Republican!) musing on his time in the Lords. One thing he said stuck with me - many in the house were ex-professionals in many fields of expertise, and when legislation in those fields came to the house they made sure they were there and scrutinised it. Can any elected senate do that?

[nickbarnes]

Climate denialism is a spent force, pretty much. Hopefully we'll learn the lessons from it.

[yea_mon]

I don't know about that - I recently read a book called Fads and Fallacies in the name of science, by Martin Gardner of Sci Am fame. It's from the 50s, and covers all the fakery and deception from the year dot to that date. Dianetics, Scientology, Dowsing, Past Lives etc. In parts there are hopes expressed that a new rationality will dawn, seeing how people and science are now better informed. Over 60 years later quackery is still with us, and I wouldn't be so sure that it or its cousin denialism are on life support.

That said - I do hope you're right!

[nwhyte]

If you are appalled by the way this was done, I invite you to consider how the hereditary peers were (mostly) abolished...