The House of Lords is an effective safeguard against absolutism and improper legislation. The government should not force through reforms that would reduce the independence of its members

Proponents of an elected House of Lords point to the current system and claim that there is a clear absence of democratic legitimacy. However, Sir John Baker argues that this obscures the real imperative which is to preserve an upper chamber whose members can act independently, without being beholden to party loyalties or partisan scruples. For the government to impose elections by forcing through an ill-thought out programme would be unworthy and ultimately detrimental to the body politic in the UK.