18 JANUARY 1975, Page 7

Lobby Lyrics -40

Fred Thoroughgood, MP, for years Had railed against the House of Peers And none attacked heredity With quite such bitter scorn as he, Or jeered at patronage, but when He said he would not stand again, His kindly leader offered Fred A seat among the Lords instead. So Frederick very soon, complete With robes and ermine, took his seat.

No sooner had he got there than The Commons introduced a plan For fundamental Lords Reform, And who, in the resulting storm, Four-square midst Earls and Viscounts stood? The noble Lord, Lord Thorough good' "I'd like to see 'ern try," said he, "I'm damned if they're reforming me."

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