Plans to axe the House of Lords and replace it with a wholly elected upper chamber are being rushed through by the Government.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw is aiming to drive out the appointed and hereditary peers and set up a 300-seat "Senate" by making a pregeneral election announcement that will put the Tories on the spot.
David Cameron would then have to decide to back the proposal - or his cronies, such as Lord Ashcroft.
The blueprint would see all members directly elected, ending traditional party patronage.
A proportional representation system would be used for selection, with voting at the same time as elections.
So Fair Voting is good for this, but not for general elections? Many perhaps most of the current House of lords do a great job - including tempering the excesses of the Govt. Wouldn't a collegiate system be better? If they were Independent and held responsible to a constituency OK - but what then is the difference to the Commons? We need the wisest heads, the best servants of the people proven through dedicated service - not another bunch of professional politicians.
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