Straw Pledges Lords Reforms

Rogue lords found guilty of corruption could be permanently banned from Parliament, under proposals brought forward by the government yesterday.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw insisted more robust penalties are needed to reprimand those found exploiting their political influence.

At present there are very few options for disciplining a lord found guilty of criminal activity.

Last week a newspaper alleged four Labour peers had been approached to amend laws in return for cash.

A parliamentary investigation has been launched into the claims, which Mr Straw admitted had undermined public confidence in the workings of the Upper Chamber.

"We want to see very, very clear laws brought in that deal with misconduct by members of the House of Lords so that if they commit a criminal offence or something else which is wholly improper then they can be expelled," Mr Straw told Sky News.

"Much of the work of the Lords as a revising chamber is high quality. But the public rightly demands a greater degree of accountability," he said.

Reformation of the House began in 1999, when then Prime Minister Tony Blair radically reduced the number of hereditary peers sitting in parliament.

This made way for more Life Peers, which brought the selection process under close scrutiny, with many accusing the government of cronyism.

Full constitutional amendments to the working of the Lords is yet to be implemented.

It is expected that the Chamber will eventually consist of wholly elected representatives, more akin to Senate seats in other democracies.

Yesterday, former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey wrote in the News of the World: "The House of Lords has been left in limbo by shambolic and half-hearted reform. The appointment of peers by a transparent process rather than political patronage is a matter of the highest priority,

"We must ensure that the second chamber is not merely packed with career politicians, but with people of probity and integrity from every walk of like."

Convicted criminals Jeffrey Archer and Conrad Black, both peers, have never been expelled from the House and are still entitled to contribute to parliament's workings.

At present, members of the cabinet do not have to be directly elected to government.

Such is the case with Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Communications Minister Stephen Carter, who were both given peerages to allow them to join Gordon Brown's front bench team.

Activists have been campaigning for years in favour of a fully elected lords, while others believe the established system forms part of our heritage, and allows the best minds in various fields to contribute to the function of government.

(PR/JM)