Rowan Williams is wrong: we need an elected second chamber  By
Graeme Smith 29 Jun 2012  In his recent Magna Carta lecture
(Sovereignty, Democracy, Justice: elements of a good society?,
June 15th Royal Holloway, University of London) Archbishop Rowan
Williams addressed the question of House of Lords reform. Dr
Williams argued against the idea, put forward by the Labour
Party, of a fully elected second chamber. His arguments were
advanced within a wider discussion of the role of the State, the
nature of civil society, and the most effective forms of
political representation. Williams’ preferred resolution of
these difficult issues is a form of (oligarchic) democracy in
which there are some political representatives elected by
universal mandate and some appointed by a commission.  In making
this case Williams seems to lack faith in the ability of
ordinary people to make political decisions which transcend
their own narrow self-interest. But he does seem to think that
social and political grandees have the capac