a good thing if it is composed etirely of cross-benchers. I believe the cross benchers have contributed greatly to the country. There should also be a rule that new Lords appointed should satisfy certain standards such as meritious service to the nation. If they have been sacked from their previous jobs such as the former speaker then they should be bared TrevorsDen I agree with rex and Tom Tom is just plain wrong. Why should an elected 'lords' upset the commons? It all depends on what it is elected to do. Richard Manns @ TrevorsDen Don't you think there might be a reason for having a 2nd house? You might not think much of the current lot (with quite some justification), but that doesn't mean that the job shouldn't be done. Oedipus Rex The function of the HoL? -- "To revise and scrutinize legislation" Abolish the so-called 'Lords' -- have the HoC committees permanently advised by experts to revise & scrutinize legislation. It would be cheaper and less corrupt, for starters. Can you imagine an election campaign for a 2nd chamber where the candidates have to canvas your support on their ability to revise and scrutinize? It's utter bollocks. TomTom An elected Upper House means the Parliament Acts must be repealed. No other system stops the Upper Chamber blocking legislation -- it is an abuse of a Revising Chamber and one of the reasons Britain has been so badly governed by fiscally irresponsible legislators erdix Agree with TrevorsDen.There was a