Peerages rule change

At last a small step forward for democracy, as the political appointees in the Lords are to be abolished, and an independent commission will take the decisions. And with Gordon Brown's backing, what could possibly go wrong.

This, of course, was one of Tony Blair's (who?) pieces of 'unfinished business' where he came up with a good idea, didn't think it through, announced it and then lost interest.

No word - yet - on whether the inbred hereditary peers are to be removed, but in who can possibly support the entitlement of those whose sole reason for being their is due to having had a royal mistress in the family at some time in the past. Sleeping with the Monarch is hardly the basis for having a perpetual right to set the laws and be a member of the most self-important club in the world.

And the Bishops will have to go to, in the spirit of multi-culturalism.

I think the commission should look at appointing independently minded people who are not affiliated with any political parties, after taking account of geographic location to ensure diversity, and looking at relevant experience in Councils and in finance.

I shall graciously accept any nominations that my readers deign to submit.