Wycombe MP joins Tory rebellion (From Bucks Free Press)

Wycombe MP Steve Baker joins Tory rebellion

9:30am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Politics By Neil Phillips

WYCOMBE MP Steve Baker was last night part of the biggest Tory rebellion against the Coalition Government since it came to power in 2010.

He was one of 91 Conservative MPs who voted against The House of Lords Reform Bill, which includes plans for a mainly elected House of Lords.

But the government won the vote on the principle of its proposed parliamentary reforms, with a 338 majority.

While Labour largely backed the Coalition plans, 26 of its MPs joined the Tory rebels in opposing it.

The second reading of the bill passed by 462 votes to 124.

But despite the fact it will move to the next stage of its parliamentary passage, the future of the bill is not clear.

The proposed reform would see 80 per cent of members of The House of Lords elected rather than appointed, and members would no longer be referred to as ‘Lords’ and ‘Baronesses’.

The chamber would be cut from 826 members to 450 and these would have a limited 15 year time of membership.