SIR – A couple of things are happening which might cause us to think this new coalition Government may not be quite as committed to democracy as it claims.
The first is the plan to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.
That may be a good idea, especially if they balance the constituencies better, and it should at least save on those terribly troublesome expenses.
But it does mean 50 fewer democratically-elected representatives.
At the same time, they are proposing to create 100 extra Lords and Ladies to sit in the Upper House. And that’s where it all starts to smell a bit fishy.
If we do the maths, we see them cutting down the elected members by 50, but adding an extra 100 unelected Lords appointees, made up of old pals, party donors, retired or rejected MPs. etc, all of which seems the complete opposite of ‘improving our democracy’.
I’m sure Nick Clegg will have a very good explanation for going along with this – but I’m not sure I’ll believe it.
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