Robert Key voted for reform, as he did last time the matter was debated. Having voted to continue with the constitutional settlement of a two-chamber legislature, he supported a second chamber 80% elected and 20% appointed. Finally, he voted against 100% elected membership of the second chamber.

Robert said, " The old, unreformed, House of Lords including hereditary and life peers worked very well. However, I recognised that we had to move forward to increase the influence and effectiveness of Parliament as a whole by adding new legitimacy to the second chamber in the 21st Century.

The House of Commons will always retain ultimate control of our legislative process. For the House of Lords I was keen to preserve a minimum of 20% appointees to allow for specific representation for religious leaders, judges, very senior military commanders and those who have run our civil service. Their contribution has always been invaluable.

Now the Government will consult the House of Lords. Then they will come forward with new proposals in the form of a Bill - a legislative proposal - that both Houses will have to consider in great depth. This could take several years to achieve.

This result represents what could be the biggest change to our machinery of Government for several hundred years. It is, however, significant that I received not one single letter, e-mail, phone call or piece of advice on the matter from my constituents. Perhaps that is representative democracy at its best!"

08th March 2007