House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) (Abolition of By-Elections) Bill [HL]

Debate between Lord Balfe and Lord True
Friday 23rd March 2018

(6 years, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord True Portrait Lord True
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My Lords, I do not see any distinction at all, though I am always grateful for a compliment from the noble Lord, whom I esteem highly. I do not particularly follow the argument about independence. It is true that hereditary Peers come here by a different route, but I have never made that argument. As was said in a challenge to the noble Viscount, it is an objective fact. They come here through election by a political college and they take a political place. I therefore have some doubt about the argument. There are nuances in all these things.

Lord Balfe Portrait Lord Balfe
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Does the noble Lord accept that his point about the disproportionate effect on these Benches is exactly why such a reform might appeal to certain elements in the Labour Party when they become the Government of this country, as they inevitably will?