Description
Book SynopsisVolume 3 of Peter Raina’s magisterial history covers the 1960s and draws on newly released documents. In astonishing detail, it traces new plans drawn up during the Macmillan-Wilson era to reform the House of Lords. ‘Mission impossible,’ a civil servant declared. But when, to remain a Commons MP, Tony Benn insisted on disclaiming an inherited peerage, he started off a fresh willingness to tackle old problems. The Peerages Act 1963 allowed peers the option of disclaimer and, at last, gave equal rights in the Upper House to Scottish and women inheritors.
A Labour government came in, and in 1967 gained the majority needed to embark on bold legislation. But it feared interference, so comprehensive plans were backed for changing the whole complexion of two-chamber politics. Led by Lord Shackleton and the intellectual Richard Crossman, schemes were devised and inter-party talks got under way – at first in a spirit of cooperation. But had the party elites listened to their fiery back-benchers? When a bill was introduced into parliament, the scenes were unforgettable …
This volume tells not just the story, but reveals the intricate thinking of those who wanted to make a bicameral system work in the age of modern party politics.
Trade Review«Peter Raina has written a remarkable book about Lords Reform between 1960-69, those years were part of the long running discussions about the future of the Lords and they are brilliantly told in Mr Raina's book. For anybody interested in the History of Reform this is sensible reading.» (The Lord Carrington)
«What a magnificent opus. From the start, I was gripped by admiration for [the] scholarship, mastery of the English language, and understanding of the British body politic! (...) As one who lived through it all – to have you bring out the differing climates of opinion – in the early 1960s to that of today – fascinating... [This] book is well described as magisterial.» (Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth, Honorary Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford)
Table of ContentsContents: 1960-61. The Wedgwood Benn Case – 1961-63. The Setting up of the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform: Conservative Proposals – 1962. The Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform: Draft Report – 1963. The Peerage Act – 1965. Procedures and Functions of the House of Lords: Lord Alport – 1966. The Labour Party Manifesto: Modernizing the Work of Parliament – 1966. Memorandum by the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Privy Seal – 1966. Motion to Appoint a Lords Select Committee: Lord Alport – 1967. The Need for Reform of the Upper House: Lord Mitchison – 1967. Composition and Powers of a Reformed House: The Lord President of the Council – 1967. The Lord Chancellor’s Ministerial Committee: Powers of the House of Lords – 1967. The Cabinet: Proposed Reform of the Lords – 1967. Detailed Proposals for Reform: The Shackleton Committee – 1968. Inter-Party Conference on Lords Reform – 1968. Conclusions of the Inter-Party Conference – 1968. The Lords’ Rejection of Sanctions Against Rhodesia: A Provocation – 1968. Bill to Abolish the House of Lords: William Hamilton – 1968. The Government White Paper – 1968. The White Paper in Parliament – 1968. The Parliament (No. 2) Bill: The Text – 1969. The Parliament (No. 2) Bill: Debate in the House of Commons – 1969. The Parliament (No. 2) Bill Withdrawn – 1969. The Parliament (No. 2) Bill: Regrets and Reflections.
