Peers

It’s been a while since I last wrote a blog. And it’s not because I ran out of things to say. No no no. That would never happen. I have a million things to write about, it’s just that I haven’t had the time.

I’ve just been reading about the Lord Levy saga in the UK. Yep, he’s been up to no good again (allegedly of course). Don’t you just love New Labour and all it stands for? If you give them money (or perhaps know someone on the nomination panel) they’ll make you a peer. I love it. Its democracy at is finest.

Forget about actually contributing something to society, no, with New Labour it’s all about who you know. Hob nob with the right people and you’ll go far. Apparently the nominations process is soon to be a thing of the past and a fairer voting system is to be put into place. Of course the Tories are up in arms about this because it means hereditary titles will be scrapped. So Tobias Poncenby Smyth can’t automatically get a seat just because he’s posh and happens to have a big house in Gloucestershire. Oh dear.

Don’t get me wrong I do think there is a place for peers, I just think they should be elected via a fair voting system. I bet there are quite a few Baronesses and Lords who wouldn’t be there right now if this system was in place.

People should sit in the Lords on merit, not because they know someone on the nomination panel or because they can name drop a few MPs. They should be there because they contribute something of value to society. Working for a pseudo charity or having a double barrelled name isn’t enough I’m afraid.

Apparently Tony Blair thinks that having a few non-political careerists in the Lords is a good thing and I agree with him. It’s a very good thing. There are a number of peers who are there because they have been recognised as being influential, forward thinking, innovative etc. However, there are also many peers who are there because it was always their intention to become a peer. Having a title gives one a bit of power and also looks great on a wedding invitation. No matter that you haven’t actually contributed anything of value to society or even to the world of business.

Welcome to British politics folks.