You can't please everyone, this option is the best available. They wouldn't have the seat if it weren't for their 'accident of birth' so how would they have it otherwise?
Replies
They were elected by their peers to hold one of the 90(?) seats for hereditary peers... But far more importantly, what is the goal? Is it simply to get rid of people for something beyond their control? Or should it be to get rid of people who don't do anything? Baby... bathwater.
aug 31, 2025, 8:53 am • 1 0 • view
It isn't something beyond their control, they didn't earn the seats.
aug 31, 2025, 9:04 am • 0 0 • view
They didn't choose who to be born to. Any more than an "ordinary worker" chooses who to be born to. I have no problem with abolishing automatic seats for accidents of birth from now on. I do have a problem with expelling people with a long track record of hard work & commitment, & losing expertise.
aug 31, 2025, 9:48 am • 1 0 • view
The HoL as a revising chamber needs knowledge & expertise. It doesn't need people who never attend but have seat through political patronage. I would also advocate for a full separation of parliament & honours, i.e. Lords should be appointed for expertise; gongs shouldn't automatically = seat in HoL
aug 31, 2025, 9:48 am • 0 0 • view
Hence my question: what is the goal? What is the HoL for? Decide that and appoint members accordingly. Their origin should be immaterial; their knowledge and expertise *for the purpose of the body* should be all that matters.
aug 31, 2025, 9:52 am • 0 0 • view
It shouldn't exist in this form, any steps towards reform are welcime
aug 31, 2025, 9:53 am • 0 0 • view
It needs closed down in its current form, but the current bill is a good first step
aug 31, 2025, 9:52 am • 0 0 • view
This is utterly mad, to suggest those born into privilege who have a role because of that privilege are disadvantaged.
aug 31, 2025, 9:51 am • 1 0 • view
It's a pragmatic thing. Never said they were disadvantaged; I said the HoL could lose much needed expertise. It's similar to companies changing goalposts and insisting on RTO. Is it really sensible to lose institutional knowledge, skills etc. just because a person lives too far away?
aug 31, 2025, 9:55 am • 1 0 • view
If you're looking for an equitable solution, then simply reversing the criteria doesn't achieve that
aug 31, 2025, 9:55 am • 0 0 • view
They didn't get there on merit. This is a good start
aug 31, 2025, 9:56 am • 0 0 • view
Does that outweigh performance in the job? They stayed on merit when the heriditary numbers were slashed. Would you rather have someone elected because they're popular but performs terribly?
aug 31, 2025, 10:04 am • 0 0 • view
I would want people elected solely on merit.
aug 31, 2025, 11:27 am • 0 0 • view
It's nothing like that. Companies recruit on merit, not birthright
aug 31, 2025, 9:57 am • 1 0 • view
Aww bless
aug 31, 2025, 10:07 am • 0 0 • view
You are rude and argumentative. Muting you now.
aug 31, 2025, 11:27 am • 0 0 • view