I was astounded to read about the detail of the new law about Lords having to choose whether they want to remain Lords and lose their non-dome tax avoiding status or stop being Lords.

Apparently five have decided to stop being Lords. Fine. Who wants tax avoiders passing laws on the rest of us. Good riddance. But it turns out they get to keep the title. How crazy is that.

I think it’s about time that Lords that don’t, well, Lord it over us, by working actively in the House of Lords, should lose the title. As a councillor, apart from having to be elected every four years, as a barest minimum I have to turn up once every six months (hasten to add its a rare week I don’t have multiple things on). But Lords don’t even have to turn up, or with hereditary ones are not allowed to turn up.

The new law that’s just started needs a simple amendment along the lines. Only active Lords can use the title Lord or Baroness. Active means average during 12 month period of at least attending 52 times. Calling yourself a Lord for whatever reason when not meeting this criteria be treated as treason!