'No logic' in having split Lords

Reform was again promised in the Queen's Speech

The House of Lords should be either "largely appointed or wholly elected", says the chairman of the joint committee looking into its reform.

Lord Cunningham said it was his personal view that there was "no logic" in having an upper house made up by both methods.

He also said there was no consensus "on the way forward". Reform was again included in the Queen's Speech.

House of Commons leader Jack Straw is said to favour a 50% elected house.

Among other measures leaked in October, Mr Straw wants to cut membership from 741 to 450, and limit terms to just three parliaments or about 12 years.

I personally don't see any logic, sense or practicality in having some kind of half-appointed, half-elected divided chamber. Lord Cunningham Joint committee on conventions

Lord Cunningham said his committee found that "by and large the House of Lords acts pretty efficiently and effectively as a revising chamber, but the way it conducts its business is based not on any written constitution but on conventions which develop and evolve."

If the House was to change, then "at the very least, these conventions will be called into question".

He said there were two extreme positions on the House of Lords - those who felt it worked well and should not be altered, and those who felt it must be elected "regardless of the consequences".

"My personal view is that I think the second chamber should be left largely appointed or wholly elected, but I personally don't see any logic, sense or practicality in having some kind of half-appointed, half-elected divided chamber."

With Lords reform promised in previous Queen's Speeches during Labour's term, Lord Cunningham said it could no longer be left unresolved, either by Tony Blair or his successor.

"I should think the last thing any incoming new prime minister wants in the first months of their premiership is some great constitutional wrangle between the two houses of parliament and the parties in them.

"I don't think leaving it is either a good idea or something that will take the matter forward."