At the weekend The Sunday Times broke a big story: an undercover investigation found four Labour peers who were prepared to sell amendments to government bills, for sums up to £120,000. Cash-for-laws, if you like.
Needless to say, this has led to renewed calls for reforming the House of Lords. But frankly, I don't see what difference electing the Upper House would make. As PJ O'Rourke put it, " When buying and selling are subject to legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are the legislators." It doesn't matter whether they appointed, elected, or chosen by lot. So long as you give them power to interfere in the private affairs of others, corruption will be an inescapable part of the political system.
It's as simple as that.
