Boris Johnson put himself at the helm of the revolt over House of Lords reform today with a withering attack on Nick Clegg’s plan for change.
The Mayor stepped into the row over modernising the Upper Chamber, dismissing reform proposals as a “bunch of tidy-minded Lib-Dem nonsense”.
He added: “Clegg’s scheme needs to be liquidated, vaporised and generally terminated with extreme prejudice.
“It would create a new, grandiose, expensive and unnecessary class of political hack. It would turn Parliament into a chronic feud between two types of elected representative.” Mr Johnson’s intervention, in The Daily Telegraph, comes after Education Secretary Michael Gove was accused of manoeuvring for a future leadership bid with plans to bring back O-levels.
The Mayor’s comments drew an angry response from the Deputy Prime Minister’s aides. One said: “It’s blatant political positioning from Boris Johnson to try to take advantage of some Tory unhappiness about Lords reform. The Conservative Party had proposals for Lords reform in their last manifesto. Perhaps Boris Johnson should read that before he makes over-the-top criticism.”
Mr Clegg will unveil details of the plans on Wednesday. He has been given assurances by David Cameron that the Premier will support them. Under the reforms, at least 80 per cent of the new chamber are expected to be “senators” elected by proportional representation on a regional basis. The size of the upper chamber would shrink from about 900 to 300. Senators would serve a single 15-year term.
Critics say the reforms will cost hundreds of millions of pounds and threaten the authority of the Commons. As many as 100 Tory MPs could mount a revolt, and if Labour sides with the rebels the overhaul could be kicked into the long grass.
Tory MPs opposing change were heartened by Mr Johnson’s intervention. Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, said: “Boris is spot on re Lords ‘reform.’”
