  Big meetings, martyrs, and why Lords reform matters  Reform of
the House of Lords isn't keeping many people from sleeping at
night. Apart from David Cameron and Nick Clegg, of course. For
most people, if they're kept awake by worries it's the increased
cost of living, worries about the worsening economic situation
on their job or business. Not that reforming the House of Lords
isn't important: after all, if we don't elect politicians, then
we can't expect our concerns to be given consideration.
Movements like the Chartists and Suffragettes succeeded in
getting the right to vote extended to all adult citizens because
people saw it was a means to have other issues addressed. The
same goes for electing the second chamber - elected Senators
will represent popular concerns more than appointed Lords.  It's
true that on a list of immediate priorities, Lords reform
doesn't come close to the top. Though it's provoked infighting
that has not been witnessed over other issues such as cuts to
public expenditure or the