The Labour Party could consider abolishing the House of Lords and replacing it with an assembly of regions and nations. The suggestion is reported to have made in a draft of a constitutional review led by former prime minister Gordon Brown.
The draft also suggested handing new economic powers, including over tax, to local regions and devolved nations, according to The Guardian. The newspaper said it had seen a leaked copy of the draft.
It reported that other measures under consideration included allowing local democratically elected bodies to promote Bills in Parliament, giving citizens a constitutional guarantee of social and economic rights, and handing mayors power over local education, transport and research funding.
A new ethics panel could see a jury of citizens rule on complaints against MPs as part of a wider crackdown on standards in Parliament. Second jobs for MPs could be banned and a new code of conduct could replace the ministerial code under the proposals.
Labour did not deny the reporting but stressed that the commission’s work is ongoing. A Labour spokesperson said: “This refers to one of several early drafts. The commission has yet to take a view on all these issues.”
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer commissioned Mr Brown, who was in Number 10 from 2007 to 2010, to lead the review into possible reforms last September. The agreed measures could reportedly be unveiled later this year.
The role of the House of Lords has come under renewed scrutiny after reports that Boris Johnson planned to elevate a large number of people to the peerage in his resignation honours list. Among those reported to be heading to the Lords were former Culture Secretary and Johnson loyalist Nadine Dorries and former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre.
In his last few days as prime minister, Johnson sparked fresh accusations of cronyism by choosing the author of a book on his “wit and wisdom” to help oversee the appointment of new peers. Journalist Harry Mount is now part of the House of Lords appointments commission responsible for vetting all nominations to the Lords.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
