09/07/2012

Rebel MPs Sign Letter Opposing Lords Reform

A group of rebel Conservative MPs have signed a letter opposing the proposed House of Lords reform and calling for "full and unrestricted scrutiny" of the bill.

The letter, signed by 70 Conservative MPs, comes ahead of a two-day debate on the government's plans.

Many backbenchers are unhappy at the pledge to create a smaller, but mostly elected second chamber in Parliament.

But the coalition has said that it is confident the Lords reform, championed by the Liberal Democrats, will go ahead.

The open letter to other Conservative MPs expresses "serious concerns" over the bill, which it says will "pile a constitutional crisis on top of the economic crisis".

Signatories to the letter include a number of MPs elected in 2010, former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind and select committee chair Bernard Jenkin.

It is also understood that when MPs vote on a timetable for the bill on Tuesday, Labour will oppose it, arguing the debate needs more time.

(H)


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