Just keeping the Lib Dems happy?

The Lib Dems are having a ball. Following the the distraction of their cherished policy of same sex marriage, today sees the tabling of the House of Lords Reform Bill, something for which they have waited 100 years. 

Neither proposal has any relevance in the pressing need to sort out the economy and get people back to work restoring some dignity to the lives of those suffering the consequences of previous mistakes. On Lords reform, Mr Clegg told Sky News: "There's a very simple principle at stake which I think most people would agree with, which is that people who make the laws of the land should be elected by the people who have to obey the laws of the land."

I agree Mr Clegg but we already elect MPs to make the laws of the land. We don't need another elected chamber in opposition. Reform of the second chamber should concentrate on merit by appointing 'peers' to bring expert knowledge of their respective fields to the Second Chamber irrespective of part line.

Summer holidays

Along with some of the rest of the population, the Prime Minister and his Chancellor have scraped enough together to take a Summer holiday - or two! David Cameron chose Tuscany while George Osborne has chosen Hollywood to provide some relief from the miserable economic outlook to which he has become accustomed during his stewardship.

With the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in Spain, William Hague has been left in charge to cope with any little difficulties that may arise to accompany the continuing problems facing the Government such as poor economic growth, the phone-hacking scandal, the NHS and defence to name but a few.

We all need a break!

Clegg the Loser?

Photograph: Leon Neal/PA

One would have thought that the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, had had enough battering but he was back in the stocks yesterday with a draft bill to reform the House of Lords and was immediately attacked from both sides of both Houses as the Aunt Sally of the coalition. 

Ignoring voter apathy and the lack of enthusiasm for the Alternative Vote system, more elections are proposed with a different alternative voting system which, as critics have pointed out, if carried through would provide a second elected chamber which would not necessarily be in sympathy with the view of the Commons. The purpose of 'the other place' is to provide the opportunity for scrutiny and amendment by eminent men and women drawing on their experience and wisdom rather than party dogma. If it works, why change it?


One wonders if Nick Clegg is being set up.

"We are all in this together." (14)

The Prime Minister's conduct has not been without criticism.