The Article 50 Bill faces the Lords next week. Like the Commons the Lords are in recess this week (although heaven knows why: it's not as if many of them have children on half term holiday). I suggest they use the time wisely as they have a serious choice to make.
They can decide to bow down to the government's demand that they just say Aye and nod the thing through.
Or they can amend as they see fit and face the threat of abolition.
Except that's not a decision at all. Because if they can't amend as they see fit there is no point to the Lords being there, so complying with the government's demand is pointless and they might just as well call their bluff.
But will they?
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Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Interesting choice. I wonder if there could be a ping-pong match HoC vs Lords on this. I suppose May-hem could always take the Lloyd George gambit (threaten to appoint a load of lords who would do her bidding – I wonder if she could find enough people to do that?).
So they may as well show a little gumption and take the government on. Following the dismal failure of MP’s to block what most of them know will be probably be a disastrous decision to leave the EU, it would be nice if the strongly pro EU Lords had the guts to do the right thing.
After all, if they did and were then threatened with abolition , what more could any student of irony desire? The undemocratic HoL being threatened with abolition for doing the job the elected HoC failed to do.
There are times when I wonder if it might be better to dump the Life Peers and Peerage and restore the hereditary ones. I have always found Dukes and Earls of the old peerage to be rather more courteous and open minded than all these jumped up politicians kicked upstairs.
What elevated social circles you move in, old boy!
Or space in the Lords, Mike?
Some MPs do have children, but I don’t think public schools have half term holidays. Have to ask Diane…
Richard, you’ve often said you don’t want to stand for election, can’t we get you into the Lords instead? You must know someone within the Westminster circles you move in that can sort it!
Very interested to see how the new blog pans out, looks very exciting and just what is needed. Hopefully you can get a good set of friendly contributors.
John McDonnell suggested it
I can’t see that happening again!
Nor do I think anyone else likely to do it either
You should have grabbed that with both hands! A chance to make even more of a campaign.
Let’s hope the new blog becomes as ground shaking, I wish I could help contribute!
There were issues……