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Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on October 20, 1997
UK labours for a peerless face
LONDON, Oct 19: Wearing scarlet robes with ermine collars, three gray-haired men clutching cocked hats move in slow procession behind offic...
LONDON, Oct 19: Wearing scarlet robes with ermine collars, three gray-haired men clutching cocked hats move in slow procession behind officials with the medieval titles of black rod and garter king of arms. They bow to the sovereign8217;s empty chair, bow to a man wearing a gigantic wig and tricorn hat, and bow again.
That8217;s just for starters in the ceremony to swear in new members of Britain8217;s House of Lords, a custom little-changed since the 17th century.But change could be in the offing and the swearing-in ceremony isn8217;t the only tradition in the Labour Party8217;s sights. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, preparing to strip aristocratic hereditary peers of the right to vote, is beefing up the unelected chamber with newly ennobled commoner supporters.
Fifty-seven new lords mainly politicians, with a sprinkling of film producers, writers and lawyers need swearing in, including 26 nominees from opposition parties.
Even with two or three sworn in at a time, it will be after new year8217;s before they are all through. And until they8217;ve been sworn in, they can8217;t take their seats.
They will join the hereditary peers who have constituted a built-in majority for the Conservative Party in the Upper Chamber. The Chamber8217;s powers are so reduced the Lords can really only irritate the elected government, not overturn legislation. But for many, taking away the hereditary peers8217; voting rights has a deeply symbolic significance, reflecting the changing face of a less deferential UK.
It also means the monarchy is the last bastion of inherited title and privilege.
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