Here’s Nick Clegg’s latest email to party members:
I’m delighted to let you know about two developments in government today – reinforcing our commitment to being the greenest government ever and publishing our plans for an elected second chamber.
Our party has always been the greenest among the mainstream political parties. We put the commitment to put make Britain greener on the front cover of our manifesto. And I’m proud that we’re living up to that reputation in Government – even in these difficult economic times.
Chris Huhne and Vince Cable have today announced proposals for binding carbon targets in the run-up to 2050, ensuring that the UK meet our ambitions to cut carbon emissions. We are setting an example to the world in our bid to be the ‘greenest government ever’. The decision will help ensure the UK becomes a global hub for low-carbon investment in off-shore wind, wave and tidal power and other green industries by providing long-term clarity for investors. For more information, see here.
Our party has an even longer commitment when it comes to House of Lords reform. We started the job a century ago, and now we can complete it.
The Prime Minister and I are today announcing that the first elections to a reformed upper chamber will take place in 2015 – for a 300-member chamber, with each representative eligible for a single term of three parliaments.
The Coalition Agreement committed the Government to supporting a wholly or mainly elected second chamber. That is why today’s proposals contain two options: 100% elected, or 80% elected with the remaining 20% appointed independently.
It’s no secret that Liberal Democrats strongly favour a wholly-elected second chamber. That is the simplest, purest, and most democratic option. But we should not make the perfect the enemy of the very good. That approach has stymied Lords reform for too long. And 80% is very much better than 0%; and a lot more than Labour managed in 13 years of governing alone.
From constitutional reform to the environment, the Liberal Democrat imprint on the coalition government is clear. Our policies and principles are making this country, more green, more fair – and more liberal.
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5 Comments
a good plan with which i am quite happy with.
For once, an email from the Dear Leader that I agree with. Two good policies, and if they come through into actual results I will be very happy.
And I’m glad he’s learned to say that the 80% is a compromise rather than trying to convince us that it’s what he wanted all along…
And if lots of the current Lords must lose their jobs, they can be employed by the Green Deal, insulating lofts!
It was a good read.
Posted this on another thread but should probably be here…
My only concern with the plans is the length of term. If the argument that safe seats makes MP’s complacent then what does a 15 year term do? I know the arguments about freeing members from Party control etc, but we do vote for parties. I would rather have similar terms to MP’s and Council members.