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28/08/2009
Peer-To-MP 'Cool Off' Period
Constitutional reform, which would allow life peers to resign, will be amended to ensure former lords cannot stands as MPs for five years.
According to reports, Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who is heading up Parliamentary changes, will introduce a "cooling off" period to ensure ex-lords cannot automatically contest a Commons seat.
It is believed the Constitutional Reform Bill amendment - detailed in today's Financial Times - is "possible but not definite".
There is currently no system allowing life peers to resign from the House of Lords or denounce their titles.
However, hereditary peers have been able to leave the Upper Chamber since 1963
Constitutional law also prohibits the holder of a life peerage entering the House of Commons as an MP.
There was wide speculation that moves to introduce an opt-out process for lords could pave the way for Labour peer and Business Secretary Peter Mandelson to reenter the Commons.
However, Lord Mandelson has insisted he has no intentions to stand as an MP, and has no aspirations to take over from Gordon Brown as party leader.
(PR/KMcA)
According to reports, Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who is heading up Parliamentary changes, will introduce a "cooling off" period to ensure ex-lords cannot automatically contest a Commons seat.
It is believed the Constitutional Reform Bill amendment - detailed in today's Financial Times - is "possible but not definite".
There is currently no system allowing life peers to resign from the House of Lords or denounce their titles.
However, hereditary peers have been able to leave the Upper Chamber since 1963
Constitutional law also prohibits the holder of a life peerage entering the House of Commons as an MP.
There was wide speculation that moves to introduce an opt-out process for lords could pave the way for Labour peer and Business Secretary Peter Mandelson to reenter the Commons.
However, Lord Mandelson has insisted he has no intentions to stand as an MP, and has no aspirations to take over from Gordon Brown as party leader.
(PR/KMcA)
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14 March 2013
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A Lords committee has warned that "the gift of longer life" could lead to "a series of crises" in public service provision, saying the UK is "woefully underprepared" for the social and economic challenges presented by an ageing society.
02 February 2009
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.
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19 March 2004
Hereditary peers win reprieve on Labour retreat
Labour's plans to remove the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords have been put on hold until after the next general election.
Hereditary peers win reprieve on Labour retreat
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22 January 2013
MPs Back Proposed 1% Benefit Cap
A controversial plan to cap working-age benefit rises at 1% has passed through the House of Commons. Labour MPs have failed to block the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill, which will cap the benefit rises until 2016, passed by 305 votes to 246.
MPs Back Proposed 1% Benefit Cap
A controversial plan to cap working-age benefit rises at 1% has passed through the House of Commons. Labour MPs have failed to block the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill, which will cap the benefit rises until 2016, passed by 305 votes to 246.
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