"Labour must say goodbye to cronyism" - Farron

2.10.03pm GMT Thu 15th Feb 2007

Local MP, Tim Farron has challenged the Tony Blair and the rest of the Labour government to vote for an end to cronyism.

The government announced their proposals for reform of the House of Lords today (Wednesday) and Mr Farron has hit out at them, saying:

"Liberal Democrats have always been committed to a wholly or substantially elected second House. That remains our position. We will vote for at least 80% of the new second house to be elected because it is the least worst option, but I would like to see 100% elected.

"In the 21st century the only way that both Houses of Parliament can be legitimate is for them to be made up of people elected directly by the people.

"People rightly pay tribute to the effectiveness of the current House of Lords. With progressive reform it can only improve."