Rupert's Read

The Green Party is currently selecting who to nominate from within our ranks for House of Lords. Unlike other Parties, we do this democratically. Greens ! Here's a few reasons why you might want to vote RUPERT READ (that's me! ;-) for the House of Lords selection: Experience: An elected Councillor living in my own mostly working-class ward. One of the top Green bloggers: The only Green in the Top 10 ‘Total Politics’ Councillor blogs: www.rupertsread.blogspot.com . A key player in the team that has seen Norwich Greens reach such heights of success over the last decade. Green Party’s candidate in 2009 Norwich North byelection. We achieved the highest-ever Green byelection result. Green Party’s candidate in 2009 Euro-elections: we in Eastern-Region achieved the highest vote-increase anywhere in the country outside SE, and came within 1% of getting me elected. Hugely-experienced media performer; many times on nati...

Introduction: House of Lords reform is next Now that it is certain that the AV referendum will take place on May 5, coinciding with local election day and elections in Scotland and Wales ( incidentally, this date is one which I first broke to the nation, scooping the BBC and everyone else: http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010/07/av-referendum-to-be-announced-next-week-held-in-may/ ), it is a good time to reflect on the strange beast that is the House of Lords, that almost scuppered this referendum (albeit not without some good reason!: see http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/michael-wills/house-of-lords-is-right-to-challenge-coalition-on-where-we-vote ). There is of course a lot to be said for the House of Lords, at least as compared to the conduct of many of those who have won election to the House of Commons! In respect of this latest example, for instance, it is clear that in some respects they have intelligently improved the bill that will allow the AV referendum to...