House of lords

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blue cigar

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Its reported this morning that Lord Hiskill and Viscount Thurso have claimed over 43k and 32k despite not making one speech, asking one question and not sitting on any committees for over 12 months.
Obviously within the rules but morally dubious to say the least. I am sure there are many more but how can this happen when we are being told that austerity is needed?
Is it time to reform or abolish the house or should tradition be honoured and we leave things as they are?
 
Make the criteria for claiming more stringent. Obviously it would be difficult to quantify their contribution to the parliamentary process, but at least make them work a certain amount of time per week.

If I'm away with work, I can only claim about £25 per day on food and other sundry items. I can also claim laundry, and hotel cost up to a certain rate, but I have to justify every single penny, and I get audited every trip.
 
For me, the House of Lords is an enigma.

The appointment system - particularly heredity - stinks. Every instinct points to drastic reform. Yet it works far better than it ought to, largely because they are relatively independent minded.

Expenses policy should be sensibly framed and rigorously policed. The current one sounds shit.
 
Morally wrong, surely.

Who would be best to write to querying the morality but equally how can the House of Lords be fit for purpose if it wastes money so easily. Good point on austerity. Is there any governance for the House of Lords? Anyone accountable?

I guess their claims/payments come out of taxes paid by the public?
 
It isn't in the interest of any government, regardless of political persuasion, to significantly reform the HoL.

The HoL, conscious of its' own anachronistic nature, rarely challenges the House of Commons for fear of acting as a catalyst for constitutional reform. The House of Commons is happy with this arrangement because it means the HoL does not challenge its' own authority. Both sides are happy with the status quo.

What we should do is abolish the HoL and replace it with a chamber elected via PR every 2 years after a general election.
 
blue cigar said:
Its reported this morning that Lord Hiskill and Viscount Thurso have claimed over 43k and 32k despite not making one speech, asking one question and not sitting on any committees for over 12 months.
Obviously within the rules but morally dubious to say the least. I am sure there are many more but how can this happen when we are being told that austerity is needed?
Is it time to reform or abolish the house or should tradition be honoured and we leave things as they are?
Click to expand...
Total reform needed.

Keep a second /upper house.
Limited number, no more than 500.
Membership made up of mix of independent (20%) and party affiliated people (80%) - party people based on vote share in general election, over say 5% share.

That way we get votes for significant minority views like the greens counting for something but keep monster raving loonies out.

Independent limited to a fixed term such as 2 or 3 parliaments so there will be some churn. Selection based on small committee such as former PMs, that way don't get dramatic swings away from recent opinion.

No automatic membership for the 10th generation of some noble who organised a hunt for the king 400 years ago and was made a Duke. No automatic membership for the Archbishops.

No attendance money for just turning up. Have a scheme to justify getting paid.
 
It is very important that the members are not dependent on a political selection process, and any elected body will inevitably start deselecting rebels. Also, it needs to keep the ""been there seen that" knowledge pool. I want the Heseltines of the world to stand up and tear a government policy apart without fear - the Lords are solely an advisory body to oppose the dumber ideas coming out of the Commons.

The bishops/rabbis/etc see things differently from career politicians and appointees. They're a legacy, but the numbers are very small in the entire body; they're fine, and if the Archbishop of Canterbury criticises something in the House then Parliament does take notice.
Hereditaries are another legacy. I don't know how active they are in voting, but if the Duke of Westminster felt it important enough to turn up, I suspect it's worth hearing what he has to say.

Expenses do seem odd, and if it was arranged according to activity, that would seem fair.
Also, a reform of numbers seems worthwhile; the last 10-15 years have seen an explosion in appointments there, and should be slowed.
 
blue cigar said:
Its reported this morning that Lord Hiskill and Viscount Thurso have claimed over 43k and 32k despite not making one speech, asking one question and not sitting on any committees for over 12 months.
Obviously within the rules but morally dubious to say the least. I am sure there are many more but how can this happen when we are being told that austerity is needed?
Is it time to reform or abolish the house or should tradition be honoured and we leave things as they are?
Click to expand...

we are being told - doesn't apply to these rich fuckers - we are all in it together remember - yeah right
 
bluethrunthru said:
we are being told - doesn't apply to these rich fuckers - we are all in it together remember - yeah right
I dont mind keeping the experience and wisdom of the ex mp's but they are there to do a job, not just to be part of an old boys club as some seem to be. The heridatary peers can get to fuck, just because great great grandad had a stately pile shouldn't allow them a place in the lords.
Click to expand...
 
blue cigar said:
Its reported this morning that Lord Hiskill and Viscount Thurso have claimed over 43k and 32k despite not making one speech, asking one question and not sitting on any committees for over 12 months.
Obviously within the rules but morally dubious to say the least. I am sure there are many more but how can this happen when we are being told that austerity is needed?
Is it time to reform or abolish the house or should tradition be honoured and we leave things as they are?
Click to expand...

I would take some of this with a pinch of salt...

Lords cannot claim a salary but get an allowance+expenses paid if and when they turn up. If they don't turn up, they get paid nothing. I am guessing whoever wrote this omitted how many times these two have appeared in the Lords for a reason. Lords also sit on committees when they choose to, they don't just randomly turn up and the entire thing is voluntary anyway, it isn't a job.

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/...support-for-Members-briefing-note-2016-17.pdf

Yes the amounts they are paid is a lot but to claim 43k someone has to turn up quite a lot, do 43k divided by 300 and that tells you around how many times. Given many Lords are business leaders and whatnot, that would be quite a commitment although whether they contribute I guess is up to them but that is just the way it is.
 
inbetween said:
I would take some of this with a pinch of salt...

Lords cannot claim a salary but get an allowance+expenses paid if and when they turn up. If they don't turn up, they get paid nothing. I am guessing whoever wrote this omitted how many times these two have appeared in the Lords for a reason. Lords also sit on committees when they choose to, they don't just randomly turn up and the entire thing is voluntary anyway, it isn't a job.

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/...support-for-Members-briefing-note-2016-17.pdf

Yes the amounts they are paid is a lot but to claim 43k someone has to turn up quite a lot, do 43k divided by 300 and that tells you around how many times. Given many Lords are business leaders and whatnot, that would be quite a commitment although whether they contribute I guess is up to them but that is just the way it is.
Click to expand...
Great post.
 
Must keep.

When you cannot sleep it's wonderfully soporific.

enhanced-buzz-2366-1378142164-8.jpg
 
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