On his main subject, the Reform of the House of
Lords, Lord Lansdowne took up the plan which we have continually advocated, of the weeding of the House of its great redundance of passive Conservatism. But we do not think that the plan of the Peers themselves electing the Peers who are to sit and form the active Legislature would do, as that would give too large a preponderance to the Conservative Peers. All Peers who had ever taken part in Administrations on either side of the House should be summoned, and in addition, all the life Peers nominated by the successive Governments of the two parties. That would give a very capable House, one not too Conservative and yet not at all likely to be rash or impulsive on great constitutional questions, while the Government of the day would have its full share of reasonable influence over such an Assembly.
Previous page
