Wednesday 27 June 2012

Leading article: A wise decision from Labour on Lords reform

 

Share
+More
Related Topics

With regards to House of Lords reform, Ed Miliband had two options. To his credit, he has chosen the right one.

Not only were Tory rebels hoping Labour would help them vote down the Lib Dem-sponsored Bill. There were also plenty on the Labour side keen to stymie Nick Clegg's efforts and up the pressure on the fraying Coalition. Instead, Mr Miliband's party will support the Bill. And although it will, alas, take more than an Aye in the Commons to ensure the reforms are passed, they may now clear the first hurdle, at least.

In resisting the siren calls of expediency, the Labour leader is to be commended. But there is more here than reforming zeal; there is also a careful political calculation. With no certainty the electorate will prove more decisive in 2015 than in 2010, the Labour leader may yet be talking coalition with the Lib Dems himself. It is only wise, then, not to burn his bridges.

React Now

Woolwich attack: The EDL might have a sinister plan as a soldier is murdered in suspected Islamic terrorist attack

Jamie Lewis

Foster Care Fortnight: 'Trust and dependency in others are still skills he is learning'

Richard Field

As Google and Apple are probed on tax avoidance, it's time for political leaders around the world to take a stand and stamp the practice out

Emma Seery

It's a hard ‘Gif’ life, Mr Wilhite

Memphis Barker

So there's a crisis in housing stock? It must be middle-aged women divorcing for the fun of it

Kate Figes
SPONSORED FEATURES

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Prizes & offers
Related Articles

Day In a Page

Read Next
A man, pixelated, was reportedly attacked with a machete-style knife  

Woolwich attack: The EDL might have a sinister plan as a soldier is murdered in suspected Islamic terrorist attack

Jamie Lewis
 

Stop laying into GPs. We don't deserve it

Dr Clare Gerada
Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell