Reforming the House of Lords

Lessons from Overseas

Meg Russell

Practical, up-to-date and aimed at a generalist as well as specialist audience
The only book in print to provide detailed comparative material about second chambers in countries around the world
Provides practical and detailed advice for policy-makers on reform of the House of Lords, based on experience overseas
Comes from the Constitution Unit, a leading think-tank with a reputation for practical and timely publications - including the successful Constitutional Futures
Opens up a debate which has so far been preoccupied with the status of the hereditary peers, and too stuck in the past
Links House of Lords reform to the rest of the constitutional reform programme in a way which has previously been neglected
Timed to coincide with the governments Royal Commission on Reform of the House of Lords which is due to report at the end of the year

Reforming the House of Lords

Lessons from Overseas

Meg Russell

Description

The constitution of Britain is changing rapidly, and the House of Lords is next on the agenda for reform. But whilst Britain takes on many of the features of other countries constitutions, the Lords reform debate remains insular and backward-looking. This book provides an international context, using material as yet unpublished in the UK. What can we learn from the appointed Canadian Senate, the elected Australian Senate, the German federal Bundesrat, or our other European neighbours? Firmly practical in its approach and aimed at a generalist as well as specialist audience, this book opens up the debate.

Reforming the House of Lords

Lessons from Overseas

Meg Russell

Introduction
Part One: Contexts
1:Reforming the House of Lords
2:Second chambers worldwide
Part Two: Seven Second Chambers
3:The composition and context of the chamber
4:Politics and personalities in the chamber
5:Organisation and administration
6:The legislative role of the chamber
7:Committees and investigative work
8:Constitutional and constituency
9:Government and the second chamber
10:Binding different levels of government together
11:Public Perceptions and calls for reform
Part Three: Lessons for Lords Reform
12:Principles of reform
13:The role and functions of the new chamber
14:The composition of the new chamber
Epilogue: Prospects for reform

Reforming the House of Lords

Lessons from Overseas

Meg Russell

Author Information

Meg Russell, Senior Research Fellow, Constitution Unit, University College London

Reforming the House of Lords

Lessons from Overseas

Meg Russell

Reviews and Awards

"Meg Russell's book is a valuable contribution to the debate on the further stages of House of Lords reform. It is always useful to gain a greater understanding from the experience of other countries." - Baroness Jay, Leader of the House of Lords

"The debate on the future of the House of Lords has so far been insular and backward-looking. Meg Russell provides and overdue and authoritative corrective in showing the lessons to be learnt from second chamber overseas in the balanced, analytical and highly readable manner that the Constitution Unit has made its trademark. She outlines how an independent and distinctive second chamber could form a central part of the developing constitutional settlement, complementing but not threatening the Commons." - Peter Riddell, The Times

"An excellent addition to the comparative literature on bicameralism which will be of great use to those interested in parliaments, parliamentary reform and comparative government generally" - Campbell Sharman, University of Western Australia

"excellent new survey" - The Guardian

"Ms Russell's thorough book goes straight to the heart of the hardest questions and gives a sober, efficient account of what is to be said on each side ... sound, sensible, and well-researched study." - Michael Fry, Glasgow Herald, 24/2/00

"Russell should be thanked for a valuable, laborious and exhaustive study carried out in a fair and honest spirit ... provides a thorough professional exercise ... shrewd political judgments." - John Vincent, LRB, 16/3/00