On Tuesday the Duke of Devonshire commented on the inconsistency
of the Government in indefinitely delaying their proposals after the bold words used in the King's Speech, Lord Crewe's speech implied that the Government would have nothing to do with reforming the House of Lords, and that nothing would satisfy them but the uncontrolled supremacy of the Commons. Lord Bosebery, in a witty and stimulating speech, said he could not vote for Lord Newton's Bill as it was not a practical measure. He welcomed the attempt to do something to remove the somewhat glaring anomalies of the House of Lords, but ridiculed the attitude of the Government, which he compared to that of Mr. Snodgrass, and of the Prime Minister, whom he satirically contrasted with Cromwell. Per- sonally, he was convinced that there could be no reform except when a Conservative Government was in power. Lord Lansdowne defended the discussion as both opportune and fruitful. All thinking people supported a Second Chamber, and no one claimed for the House of Lords the power per- manently to obstruct the will of the people: Ultimately, Lord Cawdor's amendment was carried by 198 votes to 46.
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