Letter

Sir: The move by the Prime Minister to surrender the power of appointing members of the House of Lords (report, 23 September) is most commendable.

However, it should not be considered as bringing Britain into the new millennium as a mature liberal democracy. So long as the established Church of England retains its 26 representatives on the red benches this can never be the case. I hope to see greater reform in future - either direct election of senators by single transferable vote (as in most Commonwealth countries) or the appointment of representatives of the various devolved assemblies (as in Germany).

ANDREW STEVENS

Middlesbrough