Kevin Brennan must say goodbye to cronyism says local Lib Dem

7.10.33pm GMT Wed 7th Feb 2007

Local Lib Dem Alison Goldsworthy has challenged local Labour MP, Kevin Brennan to vote for an end to cronyism and to stick to his pre election position of an elected House of Lords.

The government publish their proposals for reform of the House of Lords today (Wednesday), and local Liberal Democrat Alison Goldsworthy has hit out at them, saying,

"The vast majority of peers should be elected. Labour MPs, like Kevin Brennan, should stand up for Cardiff West and demand fair representation for local people.

"Reform of the House of Lords is long overdue, but the government still want to be able to appoint their cronies to make our laws."

The government want only half of the House of Lords to be elected and most of the rest appointed by political parties. The remainder would be appointed by an independent commission.

Alison Goldsworthy said,

"Half is just not good enough.

"If we are to have a fair and representative second chamber, we need the vast majority of peers to be elected and for politicians to have no hand in picking the rest.

"Kevin Brennan should stand up and vote with my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the House of Commons to bring an end to cronyism."

"In the run up to the 2005 general Election Kevin Brennan declared he was in favour of an elected House of Lords. Now is the time for him to honours his principles and vote with the Liberal Democrats."

Notes to editors:

1) Kevin Brennan MP backed the Elect the Lords campaign http://www.electthelords.org.uk/pages/wales.html in the run up to the 2005 General Election.

2) The government's White Paper is expected to be published Wednesday 7th February 2007 and will probably propose that:

· Half of peers to be elected, 30% political appointees and 20% appointed by the independent appointments commission;

· Appoint no new hereditary peers;

· Appoint no new life peers;

· Members to hold office for a non-renewable term of 15 years;

Liberal Democrats believe:

· The majority of the House of Lords should be elected, with no more than 20% appointed by an Independent Appointments Commission

· There should be no additional political appointees;

· No more hereditaries and no more life peers created. Hereditaries should cease to serve at the date of the first elections;

· Members should be elected under a system that gives voters real choice (such as the Single Transferable Vote);

· We propose three fixed 4 year terms, i.e 12 years non-renewable.

· Reformed Lords (and Commons) should retain its powers of scrutiny over the government.