Nothing has ever been able to become an Act of Parliament without the consent of the House of Commons, and since 1911 nothing has been able to be prevented from so becoming if that House insists upon it. Furthermore, whereas MPs has constituency responsibilities and are thoroughly territorial about them (rightly so), Peers are morally, even if not electorally, responsible to the nation as a whole, which people elected from regional lists would not and could not be.
All in all, Jack Straw’s considerable abilities would be better directed elsewhere, and the House of Commons should not only enjoy, but should once again avail itself of, the right to reject every proposal for the further ruination and despoilment of the House of Lords, which, if I may be Old Labour at this point, "does no harm, and may even do some good".
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