Yes the phasing out bit sounds about right (without getting a headahe staring at Gantt charts).
The other rather obvious point (as I see it) is that the elected life of a second house member should probably not be either a multiple or a factor of that of the first house.
So 5:15 is a bad option as there'll be a "super election" every 15 years.

I'm wondering what will happen after UKIP post a couple of polls above the LibDems.

Could they enjoy a bounce to welcome them as the new 3rd party.
(You can be sure they'll get plenty of publicity - whether they use it wisely is a different matter).

If so, who will be the net losers?
A defection as chunks of Tory right voters break away.
Or a greater re-alignment as the Libdems crash from 8% to 3% and their social and economic wings rush to the security of big parties.

In fairness, Kinnock was installed by the right of the Labour party (even if he's significantly further to the left than Blair). He didn't lose in '87 and '92 for being too left-wing, but more because people just didn't see him as credible PM material. He was certainly a very capable speaker in his day though, when he wasn't falling into the sea in full view of the cameras.

I gave some thought to joining Labour and the LRC before I eventually opted for the Greens, but having seen the intense levels of cronyism and half-arsed 'opposition' to austerity of my own local Labour party, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Besides, having a vibrant party/parties to the left of Labour seems to me to be important if there's going to be any chance of dragging them away from the neoliberal consensus.

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Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.

I see that just about half of Liberal Democrat members want shot of Clegg PDQ :

http://www.libdemvoice.org/libdemvoice-poll-members-nick-clegg-leader-2015-election-29903.html

To be replaced with who?

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I'm a nasty, violent lefty. You cunt.

Whom.

Sorry.

Quite alright, dear boy.We pedants welcome corrections.

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I'm a nasty, violent lefty. You cunt.

Well, I think it would be the same each election as the phasing will remain in place (i.e. a third being elected each time so everyone serves 15 year terms). However, where that will go wrong is if a government in the Commons falls early (bound to happen at some point) so the terms get out of alignment. And what if there's more than one election within a five-year period - which one is counted then? And what happens if a Lords member dies/resigns and a by-election is needed (would the parties just appoint someone?)?

As I say, an odd choice by the Lib Dems which made it easy for Labour to oppose the plans while still claiming support for Lords reform in principle.

Erm, isn't it a bit redundant discussing Lords reform now it definitely ain't happening?

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I'm a nasty, violent lefty. You cunt.

Probably. But I hope it does happen in future, just in a less half-baked way...

The Mail has its Winterval, surely we're allowed out fantasies too.

The only two I can think of is Charles Kennedy (if he's interested again) or Vince Cable.

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"The first casualty on your Facebook wall is always facts..."

#rightwingpoliticalcorrectness - for when some "Tell it like it is" bullshitter plays the political correctness card, often without irony!

Tim Farron? Those of the left still in the Liberal Democrats hope for the return of Charlie but they admit it's a forlorn one, Farron would probably step in as interim if the Lib Dem wipeout happens.

I suppose the lib-dems may in fact just reform as a right-of-centre party, a sort of Tory-Lite for those who feel a bit guilty over how the conservatives have shagged this country, but still don't want labour in power. Although one could posit that their credibility as a left-wing party is shot - at least they have a track record of being right wing whilst in power.

Reports that Osborne is to relinquish his role in masterminding the Tories' election campaign and that Shiny Dave has instead hired the Aussie strategist Lynton Crosby are not good enough for Mad Nad on Twitter :



So, that's good news there, then !

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I'm a nasty, violent lefty. You cunt.

Asil Nadir has been sent down for a 10 stretch in chokey for stealing about £29 million.

Asil Nadir's company, Polly Peck (of which Nadir was at the time CEO) donated nearly £500,000 to the Tories.

At the time, the Tory Chair at the time, Norman Fowler, pledged that any stolen money donated by Polly Peck would be returned. This was affirmed by John Major, then Tory leader and PM.

Fast forward to 2012, and Shiny Dave says that none of Asil Nadir's donations will be returned.


Another nail........

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I'm a nasty, violent lefty. You cunt.