Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, has voted against the proposed Lords’ Reform Bill.
Speaking during a fiery, two-day Commons debate, after which 91 Tory MPs voted against the Bill, Drax asked,
“why are we considering destroying a system that has worked well for hundreds of years? Regrettably, I feel that the reason, ….. is to appease our coalition partners. The Liberal Democrats have discovered the power of being the piggy in the middle, so it is no accident that they support a form of PR for the upper House: the balance of power could lie in their hands.”
“How can we justify that when we are elected under the first-past-the-post system? The alternative was resoundingly rejected by voters last year.’
Drax said that while he supported Lords’ reform, it had to be done carefully.
“Yes, there are issues-too many-such as when Members of the House of Lords retire, and concerns about who is appointed and how, but we do not need another elected House.” he said.
“Can hon. Members imagine having a senator ….in their constituency with a manifesto, and a manifesto to do what?; to revise well; to advise even better? It is ludicrous. Conflict will be the inevitable consequence.”
“Surely it is not the job of Members of the House of the Lords to be accountable to the electorate; we have that role. They are accountable for revising and advising on legislation.”
Drax also attacked the Lib Dems for threatening to withdraw their support for changing constituency boundaries – a move which, it is thought, could benefit the Tories by up to 20 seats.
“We hear that the boundary review could be at risk if we do not push the Bill through,” he said. “I believe that it would be dishonourable behaviour, were the Liberal Democrats to renege on that particular issue. We gave them a referendum on the alternative vote in exchange for the boundary review. If we agree to this Bill, what will their next demand be? “
“This country, our country, which deserves the very best, will get less.”