22nd May 2007

Laurence Robertson MP claims in an article that reform of the Lords is 'vandalism' (Citizen 12/03/07). He is very wrong.

Hereditary privilege is completely at odds with a modern democracy that claims to offer opportunity to all regardless of their birth. In addition religion should be separate from the state and therefore religious privilege in the form of the Bench of Bishops should also be removed from the Lords.

The loans-for-lordships controversy continues to rage and is severely damaging British politics. We should not forget that 17 out of the 22 individuals who have donated more than £100,000 to the Labour Party in the past few years have received an honour.

As long as political parties are reliant on large donations and they retain the power of patronage, the perception of sleaze will remain. It is refreshing that despite Laurence Robertson's views MPs like David Drew voted decisively for a fully elected second chamber.

We now wait to see if the Lords recognise this vote and whether the Government will hold firm in pushing through reform. Let us hope that the views of dinosaurs like Laurence Robertson do not prevail.

Philip Booth, Stroud District Green party