8 Heol-y-Parc, Efail Isaf, Pontypridd

Wales, CF38 1AN, UK

Tel: 070 92107212 Fax: 070 921072123
Email: jonathan@jonathanbishop.org.uk
Dr. Kim Howells MP
Member of Parliament for Pontypridd
16 Tyfica Road
Pontypridd
CF37 2DA

05/02/2003

Dear Dr. Howells,

Re: House of Lords Reform
In light of the apparent stalemate in Tuesdays vote on the reform of the House of
Lords, I would like to express to you my views on this issue. It is my opinion that
whilst the status-quo is completely unsuitable, a directly-elected second chamber
would be in a position to challenge the authority of the House of Commons, especially
if its members are representatives of political parties - The British people elect MPs to
represent their political beliefs at a UK level, not a second chamber.
As you are aware, there have been significant changes in the constitutional make-up of
the UK, in the form of regional government in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland,
and the forthcoming changes in England will complete this process. Because of these
changes, the role of the Houses of Parliament will become more focussed on
legislation and issues of national and global significance, meaning the role of members
in the second chamber will be the scrutinising of legislation only.
My idea of a suitable second chamber would be a House of Experts, in which
academics, business leaders, community leaders and professionals from the public and
private sectors scrutinise legislation, whilst spending most of their time in the real
world, developing real experiences and wisdom. The MHEs could be elected by the
professional organisations they are members of or through some other mechanism, but
the important issue here is that they would bring alternative viewpoints to the
construction of legislation, beyond party political beliefs.

I hope you will be able to express my views to the appropriate Minister or committee.
Warmest Regards,
Jonathan Bishop