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More details from petition creator

Most agree that reform of the upper house is inevitable. Whatever might be gained in reforming the Lords, to change its name to something dreary, conventional and universal, like “senate”, is unnecessary and undesirable. Why change the name? Many institutions have changed in composition, purpose and methods over the centuries, without changing their names. Think of the monarchy itself and how much its role has changed.

What's in a name? Do Beefeaters eat beef? Do the Household Cavalry go riding into battle brandishing their sabres? Would the Lords challenge the primacy of the Commons if the door weren't slammed in Black Rod's face? Of course not. Many traditions and ceremonies that are part of our modern idiom form an important link with our past, where they may have had very different meanings. Now harmless and charming, they nevertheless serve to remind us of our heritage and the continuity of life. To reject them is to sneer at the past

Current signatories

Ben Ruphe, the Petition Creator, joined by:

• Peter Brink
• Wendy Clarke
• Jonathan Doyle
• Lucy Parkinson
• Matthew Malthouse
• Ceri Almrott
• James Taylor
• Andrew Williams
• Simon Harley
• James Watson
• Thomas Walton
• William Patterson
• Alastair Sloan
• Jennifer MacLeod
• Graham Lewis
• Jessica Kirk
• Christopher B Wright
• Giles Halhead Towers
• Samuel J Taunton
• Julia Beck
• Jan Machielsen
• Richard Morgan
• Jon Daley
• Jack Brockless
• William Cook
• James Boulter
• Julie E. Kanter
• andrew withers
• Aden Lucas
• Richard Pratt
• J Ryan
• Rita Brockless
• Alexandra Hepburn
• Philip Williams
• Michael T.E Robinson
• Annesley Abercorn
• Alex Jenkins
• John M Pendleton
• Ellie Rose
• matthew bolton