An Elected Second Chamber

Now that we are to have this unnecessary monstrosity, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and each of the nine English regions (though with their boundaries altered to reflect those of the historic counties) should each elect, from two lists, eight Senators every two years, for six-year terms. On one list would be party candidates: vote for one and the top five would be declared elected at the end. And on the other list would be Independents: vote for one and the top three would be declared elected at the end. This would give 288 in all.

Furthermore, since peers, unlike MPs, currently have responsibilities only to the whole nation and not to individual constituencies, there would also be a six-year term as a Senator for any person independent of party who, by the close of nominations for that election, secured the nominations of at least two thousand registered voters in each constituency used for elections to the House of Commons. There could never be more than about 40 such Senators, and even half of that number would be unlikely in practice; they would be people whom a very significant section of politically the more engaged section of society felt belonged within the parliamentary process.