Parliament must be fundamentally reformed - Heath

3.39.00pm GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2009

In an Opposition Day debate, Liberal Democrats propose powers to expel members of the House of Lords

In the wake of allegations of sleaze among peers and the censuring of Derek Conway, Liberal Democrat Shadow Leader of the House, David Heath tabled an Opposition Day motion calling for urgent action to restore public trust in politics.

The motion followed the announcement of reforms called for by Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, including introducing powers to expel or suspend peers and to ensure all Lords are resident in the UK for tax purposes.

The Liberal Democrat proposals were defeated, with 47 votes for and 221 votes against and the Conservatives abstaining.

David Heath said:

"This last week has been yet another troubled one for the reputation of Parliament and for politics in general.

"It is absolutely clear that we need to look for fundamental reform of both Houses of Parliament to make them fit for purpose and free from the taint of sleaze.

"If we don't act urgently then the reputation of Parliament will continue to sink and the trust of people in Britain in their democratic institutions will be fatally damaged."

Read David Heath's full speech here

Read David Howarth's full speech here

The Opposition Day motion is as follows:

Parliamentary Standards (Constitutional Reform)

"That this House believes that the United Kingdom needs and deserves a Parliament that is fit for purpose and free from the taint of partial interests; is dismayed by the slow pace of reform which has failed to deal effectively with the opportunities for abuse; welcomes the suggestions from Liberal Democrat members of the House of Lords to introduce powers to suspend and expel Members of that House, require Peers to declare any interest in all legislation, make all Members of that House resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes, put the Lords Appointments Commission on a statutory basis, bring Members of both Houses into the remit of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and tighten up on the issuing of passes to Parliament; believes however that there is now an urgent need to bring forward plans for an elected House as agreed by a majority of hon. Members; is concerned at the lack of progress on the Prime Minister's constitutional renewal programme; is disappointed that current legislation fails to provide for limits on donations or spending by political parties; calls for urgent and effective action to reduce parties' dependence on large donors and trade union interests; believes that comprehensive reform of the procedures of the House is essential to enable it to scrutinise Government and the spending of taxpayers' money more effectively; and recognises the need for urgent action to restore the trust of the British public in Parliament as an institution and in politics as a profession."