Bob Laxton must say goodbye to cronyism, says Lucy Care

2.28.47pm GMT Mon 12th Feb 2007

Lucy Care and the Lib Dems believe that most peers should be elected, not appointed.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Cllr Lucy Care has challenged Derby North's MP, Bob Laxton to vote for an end to cronyism.

The government published their proposals for reform of the House of Lords last week, and local Liberal Democrat Lucy Care has hit out at them, saying, "The vast majority of peers should be elected. Labour MPs, like Bob Laxton, should stand up for Derby North and demand fair representation for local people.

"Reform of the House of Lords is long overdue, but the government still want to be able to appoint their cronies to make our laws."

The government want only half of the House of Lords to be elected and most of the rest appointed by political parties. The remainder would be appointed by an independent commission.

Lucy Care said, "Half is just not good enough. If we are to have a fair and representative second chamber, we need the vast majority of peers to be elected and for politicians to have no hand in picking the rest.

"Bob Laxton should stand up and vote with my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the House of Commons to bring an end to cronyism."