The Political Notes in Friday's Times state that the Unionist
leaders in the House of Lords do not now consider it a desirable course to introduce a Bill in that Chamber embodying their proposals for reform, and opinion among the rank and file of the Opposition takes the same direction. We sincerely trust that this, coupled with the tone of the reference to the Parliament Bill in the King's Speech, and with the improved temper of Government speakers in regard to the House of Lords, indicates that there are prospects of a reasonable compromise being reached on to the whole pro- blem of the Second Chamber, its powers and composition. The possibility of such an arrangement would no doubt justify the Lords in not proceeding with the question of reform, though in our opinion no other considerations would justify them for a failure to prove to the country the fact—always clear to us—of their bona fides in passing the Lansdowne and Rosebery resolutions last Session.
Previous page
