Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Lord Ahmed, Member of the House of Lords

There is that wonderful phrase in the 1906 Labour manifesto: "The House of Commons is meant to be the people's house, but the people are not there". More than a hundred years later, we should make sure the people are in the House of Lords too. That's why I voted in favour of both an 80% and 100% elected upper chamber.

We need strong checks and balances in the system. Just think about the poll tax and what Tory governments do, but in the end, the elected House of Commons should be able to get its legislation through.

As for the remaining hereditary peers it's time we moved from the 13th century to the 21st century. Enough hanging around. Let's just get on with it.

Hilary Benn, Minister of State for the Department for International Development (Leeds Central CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Roger Berry, Member of Parliament (Kingswood CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Roberta Blackman-Woods, Member of Parliament (City of Durham CLP)

The current House of Lords lacks legitimacy - it does not speak for the people of this country, and its views do not bear any relation to our people at large. Only through a 100% elected second chamber can the actions of the Lords be taken credibly.

Kris Brown, Labour Party and Co-operative Party Councillor (Edmonton Green CLP)

It is absolutely fundamental to our democracy that both Houses of Parliament are accountable to the people via the ballot box

Laura Bruni, CLP Secretary (Waltamstow CLP CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Chris Bryant, Member of Parliament (Rhondda CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Martin Caton, Member of Parliament (Gower CLP)

It's hard for us to preach democracy to the rest of the world when half our Parliament is still in the grip of patronage. We need a democratic upper house now.

David Chaytor, Member of Parliament (Bury North CLP)

We've thought about it for long enough, let's do it.

Anne Cherry, Mental Health Worker (Leeds North West CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Katy Clark, Member of Parliament (North Ayrshire & Arran CLP)

I have campaigned for a long time that the Upper House should be democratically elected and fully accountable to the British public. The Labour Party believes in democracy and accountability and I hope that we will finally do something to address this issue which has remained unresolved for far too long.

Kerron Cross, Leader of the Labour Group on Three Rivers District Council (SW Herts CLP)

I am a democratic socialist. I believe in a more equal society but I know that democracy is the means by which we achieve social justice. Labour has done much to end the democratic deficit built up during the Tories' 18 years in power; Labour has ensured that hereditary peers no longer make laws for the country, but to create the democratic 'good society' we require a new set of reforms that redistribute power. This means we should honour the overwhelming Commons vote for a fully elected second chamber.

Jon Cruddas, Member of Parliament (Dagenham CLP)

It is absolutely essential that Parliament has a second house but it's make up should be decided upon by the electorate in a liberal democracy.

Allan Davies, Group Deputy Leader (Basildon and Billericay CLP)

Reform of the House of Lords is now overdue for completion.

Jim Dobbin, Member of Parliament (Heywood & Middleton CLP)

An undemocratic Lords twists and peverts our legislative system. It cannot act as a defender of our liberties, a bulwark against executive power, as it lacks legitimacy. It can only fustrate the democratic will. It cannot stop our rights being eroded or an unpopular war; but it can block a corporate manslaughter bill that would protect workers'lives. The system is entirely and irrevocably broke - fix it now!

Daniel Elton, Journalist (Hampstead and Kilburn CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Bill Etherington, Member of Parliament (Sunderland North CLP)

Why should these people have the right to sit in parliament deciding what is best for their fellow countrymen when their fellow countrymen don't even know who they are? Heriditary rights should be abolished. The Lords is old and stale now and not what our country needs.

Julia Fozard, Medical Student

The time for Lords reform has certainly come. What a chance for a new Prime Minister!

Ian Gibson, Member of Parliament (Norwich North CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Helen Goodman, Member of Parliament (Bishop Auckland CLP)

I strongly believe we need to replace the unelected House of Lords, which is rooted in political patronage, with a fully democratically elected Senate.

Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and for Wales (Neath CLP)

I voted for a fully elected House of Lords, and have always voted for the most democratic formulation offered to Parliament. A 100% elected House of Lords removes unquestionable right from all positions in Parliament.

Harriet Harman, Member of Parliament (Camberwell and Peckham CLP)

We need to embody the values of our citizens, reflect their aspirations and respond to their needs. Re-invigorating the concept of general interest and the good society can only happen through refashioning the relationship between the citizen and those who represent us. Through an elected upper house representative of the society we live in, we can provide an injection of critical thinking into the burning issues debated in the Commons - we can dare more democracy.

Noel Hatch, Policy Adviser (Battersea CLP)

An elected second house is long over due. Democracy depends on ability of all citizens to participate and influence the political process. An appointed or hereditary chamber prevents this vital involvement from the electorate.

Sarah Hayward, Head of Communications (Holborn & St Pancras CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Patricia Hewitt, Member of Parliament (Leicester West CLP)

Not another 100 years, please. It would be good to get this reform completed so that it does not have to be in another General Election manifesto.

Dr Brian Iddon, Member of Parliament (Boldon South East CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Glenda Jackson, Member of Parliament (Hampstead and Highgate CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Sian James, Member of Parliament (Swansea East CLP)

My starting point is that the primacy of the Commons must be maintained and that the second chamber is for scrutinising and revision. In the latest vote on the issue I backed the 80:20 option as the best way forward. Some appointments can ensure particular expertise as well as gender and ethnic balance.

Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education and Skills (Kingston Upon Hull West and Hessle CLP)

I would like to see the new leadership of the party support democratic reforms to the House of Lords and to allow the people to choose the members of the upper House,The sooner this happens the better for democracy in Britain.

Frederick Johnson, Councillor (Vale of Glamorgan CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Lynne Jones, Member of Parliament (Birmingham Selly Oak CLP)

It's time to remove the unelected bishops, hereditaries and cronies from our Parliament and let the British people choose their law-makers.

Phil Jones (Holborn & St Pancras CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Martin Linton, Member of Parliament (Battersea CLP)

The 'democratic deficit' should be tackled wherever we find it whether in the European Union or the House of Lords.

David Martin, European MP (Glasgow North West CLP)

A reformed, representative and democratically-accountable Upper House will push forward the radical overhaul of the consitution required to reconnect politics with the public.

Samuel McBratney, University Chaplain (Holborn & St Pancras CLP)

Equality must apply throughout the breadth of society. It is wrong to have birth rights. They ought to be abolished. A way of abolishing the royal family, in a civilised way and without rancour, needs to be found too. It wasn't until I flew British Airways that it ever entered my head that I personally was anything other than first class.

Michael McLoughlin, Sub working class (Wigan CLP)

I believe the House of Lords should be fully elected and we should get on and do it.

Julie Morgan, Member of Parliament (Cardiff North CLP)

The UK isn't a modern democratic state until it has a fully elected & accountable upper house

Sarah Morgan

Elective dictatorship, cash for honours, fox hunting; the number of problems we have or have had because we dont have an elected and accountable upper chamber cannot exist in the 21st century and is an embarrassment to our country.

Andrew Morton, student

I fully support an elected House of Lords but add that great thought must be put in to how it is elected. Left of centre parties have received a greater proportion of votes in almost every election since the end of WWII yet minority Conservative governments have held power more often. We need a Lords, and indeed a Commons, that better reflects our society and is representative of the majority who support progressive politics.

Liam O'Shea, Political Researcher (Harrow East CLP)

The Upper House is an anachronism and preferable should be abolished all together. Failing this the members should be the representative of the people and no vested interests.

Tony Probert, Secretary (Weston CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Owais Rajput (Bradford West CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Linda Riordan, Member of Parliament (Halifax CLP)

What does it say about our society that to be a member of part of the legislature you either have to come from an ancient and aristocratic family where privilege, exclusivity and the right to govern has been handed down the generations or benefit from modern day political patronage? House of Lords reform is as significant an indicator of our commitment to equality as taking children out of poverty, sure start and tax credits. We need reform now.

Alexandra Runswick (Hendon CLP)

Democracy is a vital, the only way to further democracy and participation is a democratic house of lords. The only way to get public confidence is a democratic house of lords. The only way to re-engage the public in politics is to abolish this medieval throwback. The only way for Labour to restore its image as a democratic party is for a democratic upper chamber.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Internal Affairs Sabatical University of Bradford Union (Bradford West CLP)

When Labour came to power people saw it as principled, fresh and open. Labour needs to continue to show those traits for the good of the country, and to stay in power. House of Lords Reform, besides its intrinsic merits, would be a high profile way of demonstrating these traits. It would show that Labour believes power should be in the hands of the people, not appointed peers, that Labour has not run out of radical ideas, and that Labour wants to open up the corridors of power, not seal them off.

Omar Salem, London Young Labour Executive (Islington South & Finsbury CLP)

It seems incredibly that a country that enforces democracy around the world is still implementingthe archiac practice for the sake of tradition and nostalgia! The Lords should be elected.

Pawandeep Sarai, Medical student

i want a democratic upper house, elected by proportional representation and without any religious representation, which should be swept away. Gordon, with the proposed move to stop appointing the archbishop of canterbury, this is the best time to show that britain is a multi-cultural, multi-faith society where religion has no place in politics. and while we are at it, repeal the acts of succession which prevents a catholic from marrying royalty.

Roger Saxon, Technical Consultant (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross CLP)

I support the democratic reform of the House of Lords and hope it will be sooner rather than later.

Julia Tarry, Teacher

The landmark vote in March was in line with Labour's original manifesto commitment on constitutional reform in 1997 to make the House of Lords more ‘democratic and representative. It is also in line with the stated aim of Clause IV of the Labour party manifesto by which ‘power should reside in the hands of the many not the few’. However, previous attempts at reform have faltered and stalled - it is essential that we continue to make the progressive case for reform

Samuel Tarry, London Young Labour Executive (Barking CLP)

10 years ago people saw Labour as the open and democratic party. We were sleaze free, new and people needed a change. A democratic house of lords would be a step towards restoring peoples faith in the Labour Party and bringing back some of those members we have lost over recent years.

MarshaJane Thompson, Youth Worker (West Ham CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Neil Turner, Member of Parliament (Wigan CLP)

There is no room for ancient patronage in 21st Century Britain. We need to honour the overwhelming view of the Commons without delay.

Lynda Waltho, Member of Parliament (Stourbridge CLP)

MPs have voted for an 80% or 100% elected second chamber, giving Gordon Brown's new Government a huge opportunity to take legislation forward and show its new approach to democratic reform. An elected House of Lords would be a crowning constitutional achievement for this country, strengthen both Houses of Parliament, and extend the democratic principle at last to the whole of the Palace of Westminster.

Damien Welfare, Coordinator, CDUH (Eltham CLP)

I support the Campaign for a Democratic Upper House, to equip Britain with a Parliament fit for the 21st century and end patronage and wholesale appointment in Government.

Dan Whittle

I support a second chamber accountable to the electorate

Paul Williams, student (Milton Keynes North CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Mike Wood, Member of Parliament (Batley and Spen CLP)

Democracy is vital in the Lords - we can't tolerate the status quo any longer. While we're at it, let's make sure we have a decent proportional election system too.

Jon Worth, Website Designer (Camberwell & Peckham CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Anthony D. Wright, Member of Parliament (Great Yarmouth CLP)

Power should be in the hands of the many, not the few. I believe the Labour Government should build on the historic vote in the House of Commons in March 2007 supporting democratic reform of the House of Lords and secure legislation on the issue at the earliest opportunity.

Derek Wyatt, Member of Parliament (Sittingbourne and Sheppey CLP)

Jeanne Alexander, Councillor (Barking CLP)

Oliver Bethell, Project Coordinator

Kuntal Biswas, Adviser

Owen Blacker, Senior Software Developer

Owen Blacker, Senior Software Developer

Daniel Blaney (South Basildon and East Thurrock CLP)

Paul Burgin (North East Herts CLP CLP)

Michael Calderbank, ERS Political Campaigns Officer (Brent Central CLP)

Mike Canavon (Thurrock CLP)

Yue Ting Cheng, Westminster office MP

Malcolm Clark (Streatham CLP)

Mary Clarkson, Retired

Joe Cox, Student (Dartford CLP)

Stella Creasy (Walthamstow CLP)

Mark Fletcher, unemployed (Dover CLP CLP)

Tom Flynn, Trade Union Employee (Dulwich & West Norwood CLP)

Caroline Gilbert, Statistician

Keith Golder, Civil Servant (Wallasey CLP)

Kate Groucutt (Islington North CLP)

Jeffrey Jones, business consultant (Ogmore CLP)

Julia Mayer, Membership Advisor

Ruairi McAleese, Solicitor (Holborn & St Pancras CLP)

Brendan Moore, IT Professional

Calum O'Byrne Mulligan, Student (Greenwich & Wollwich CLP)

Frank O'Donnell, Student (North East Fife CLP)

Paul Prentice, Communications (Vauxhall CLP)

Susan Press, Journalist (Calder Valley CLP)

Emily Robinson, Research & Publications Officer, Unlock Democracy (Camberwell and Peckham CLP)

Vinothan Sangarapillai (Hornsey & Wood Green CLP)

Liam Smith, Deputy Leadr of Barking and Dagenham Council (Dagenham and Rainham CLP)

David Tooley, journalist (SW Beds CLP)

Tom Williams, Student