Labour proposals for lords: muddled, inconsistent and lack support - Potts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Jul 2005

"Whilst it is a positive sign that proposals are emerging from the Labour party to complete Lords reform, the suggestions published appear muddled, inconsistent, and unlikely to command a majority in both houses." says Potts

Responding to the leaked proposals from the Labour party for House of Lords reform, Liberal Democrat Shadow Sam Potts said:

"Whilst it is a positive sign that proposals are emerging from the Labour party to complete Lords reform, the suggestions published appear muddled, inconsistent, and unlikely to command a majority in both houses.

"By taking such a gradual approach the Labour party is condemning us to decades of further constitutional reform, rather than dealing with what is now an urgent piece of business.

"We are clear that a reformed House of Lords needs to be predominately elected on a fair system of voting, and we urge the Government to recognise that this is the only acceptable way forward."

ENDS