A friend of mine commented that the Norton View appeared to have become a one-subject blog recently. I have no idea what he was talking about. Anyway, back to the subject of Lords reform. A recent Ipsos MORI poll has found that over 70 per cent of those questioned did not regard Lords reform as a priority for government. It is notable that the proportion is high and consistent among all sections of the population.
Not a priority
The ‘voting’ fields, especially when compared to the ‘past vote’, are more of a worry.
ladytizzy: It is not unexpected. As I have shown before, it depends how you word the question (and whethewr options are provided). There is a tendency for people to say ‘yes’ if asked if the second chamber should be elected. It is only when they thinki it through (as shown in exercises of deliberative democracy) that they change their minds.
How convenient it is to ask ‘the public’ if ‘Lords Reform’ is relevant when they are in the throws of the worst demise facing their security since before WWII.
And this is always an enigma to me. Where are these people they question on matters of political importance? I never meet any, and like you, LN, I get about. Why, it turns out, they are the same people repeatedly chosen by the pollsters to be certain they get a response that will suit the wishes of the customer.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/staggers/2012/07/what-lords-reform-has-done-coalitions-poll-numbers
And when you look at who governs the company of pollsters what do you find? Political movers and shakers who want to manipulate the thinking of the politicians. How crude and how laughable. Money for old rope again.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_general_election
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/blogcollegeofjournalism/posts/How-not-to-report-opinion-polls
I was polled (if that’s the right word) a few months back, first time it has ever happened to me. A gentleman came to my door and interviewed me about my views on race and immigration.
I think people would be in favor of reform if it were presented differently in the media. Unfortunately the media coverage of Parliament and politicians is overwhelmingly negative. It has bred a cynicism so powerful that it has led to deeply entrenched public apathy to Parliament. Rarely is the case made for a more robust and reformed Parliament and the benefits this could bring. I believe the public perception is that a reformed Lords would merely be just another layer of useless, party-line following, expenses drawing politicians. In the case of the recent suggested reforms they may well have been right.
Unfortunately the case for increased legislative scrutiny, more accountability and more freedom for individual politicians that Lords reform, properly handled, could bring is rarely presented.