Sir, We write as members of all parties and of none in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The present difficulties in the Commons should not obscure the need for some immediate reforms in the Lords.
Ultimately, some of us believe that the Second Chamber should be elected; while others of us believe that it should be all-appointed. That debate has some way to run.
In the meantime, we are united in believing that a package of changes is needed to get rid of the manifest and pressing defects of the present Upper Chamber. These require: disqualification from membership of anyone convicted of a serious criminal offence; similarly disqualification of those who do not pay UK taxes; provision for peers to retire