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Afraid not. He used to be less political than he is now. He used to be in the police, now he is a life peer and gets to actually vote on stuff.

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A policeman joining the police state lobby. Well, I never.

He's not a mere lobbyist, though. He sits in the House of Lords, where he wields actual legislative power but has no corresponding accountability to the electorate.

If you ever wondered why so many people have been campaigning for an elected second chamber in the UK, now you know.

And who elects them? Politicians ready to bestow favours. Thus we have a self-appointed club. Hereditary peers had at least one worthwhile characteristic in that they owed their position to no one save a long-dead ancestor.

I think he means a second chamber elected by voters. That's certainly what I mean.

I meant 'lobby' as in 'club' or 'group', and I agree. I'm all for an elected second chamber rather than the current system.

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