How about a meritocratic House of Lords (UK)?

Question

A system of political appointments is bound to be influenced by party politics, cronyism and, at worst, corruption... just like, some would argue, the current House of Lords.

Popular elections are already held for the Commons, so why have another elected house? Besides, do the masses really know what is best for the country?

I propose having a House of Lords filled or elected by the educated and accomplished. Either the House or its electorate could be structured among such lines...
25% academics,
25% technical experts,
25% legal experts (e.g. current Law Lords),
25% people awarded for contributions to society (e.g. Nobel laureates).

My idea is bound to be controversial, but I do believe that the Lords should be a counterbalance to populism and somewhat disconnected from the masses. After all, the masses are already represented in the Commons (the more powerful house!). Your opinions?

Answer 1

I agree that academics and legal experts should be included, as currently only scientists pair by the government are listend too (because they are paid to say what the government wants them to say). But if this happened, they would need to change the laws, so that the commons could not longer force laws through the second house - after all, i think a house like the one you propose above would be much better than a lords, or a commons. Perhaps that should be the first house, and the elected house the second one. THen we may get some sense in this country.

Answer 2

below the present device the domicile of Lords has particularly constrained powers; it could in easy terms put off legislations exceeded by utilizing the Commons, not block it outright. In a feeling this could extremely make particularly a stable device- the Lords could nicely be appointed from positions that is waiting to grant professional enter on concerns of regulation and coverage, and carry poorly-designed acts back for a whilst whilst they are reviewed. this could nicely be a stable thank you to maintain the government below a minimum of a few point of administration. i could perhaps recommend here differences: * decrease the put off time to 3-6 months particularly of 12 (12 is somewhat intense for my section; 6 could be long adequate for evaluation with out posing any substantial delays). * If an election happens till now the 6 month time decrease is up and the Commons passes an identical regulation back, then it passes despite the Lords do (to make particular the domicile of Lords would not interfere with an electoral mandate). * eliminate all participants appointed for non secular or hereditary roles; all participants could be appointed because of the fact they have a correct skill.