Oral Answers to Questions

Helen Grant Excerpts

Wednesday 27th June 2012 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 27 June.

[The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron)]

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall have further such meetings later today.

[Mrs Grant]

Is not it stupid to vote for House of Lords reform, but against the programme motion?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend makes a very important point. We have been discussing this issue for 100 years, and it really is time to make progress. The truth of the matter is that there are opponents of Lords reform in every party—in the Conservative party, in the Labour party and in the Liberal Democrats in the other place—but there is a majority in this House for a mainly elected House of Lords, and I believe that there is a majority for that in the country. However, if those who support Lords reform do not get out there and back it, it will not happen—that is the crucial point. It is absolutely hopeless—in life and in politics—to do what the Leader of the Opposition is doing: saying that he is in favour of it and he is also against it. It is hopeless.