08 February 2002
Consultation on the government's controversial white paper, which proposed that 80% of peers should be appointed by party leaders and only 20% elected, closed last week.
Cook is understood to have told officials to go back to the drawing board following a barrage of criticism of the government's proposals from opposition parties and many Labour backbenchers.
'Ministers were badly wrong-footed by the Conservatives coming out in favour of an 80%-elected Lords and Cook now wants a thorough rethink,' said a senior official.
But Irvine, who acts as speaker in the Lords, is urging only modest changes to the white paper in the draft legislation, expected to be published next year.
He told the Commons' public administration select committee last month that ministers 'could contemplate' a larger elected element. However, he added: 'It would have to be something far short of 50%, otherwise the authority of the House of Commons would be put at risk.'
A poll carried out by former Labour whip Graham Allen, published last week, found that Labour MPs wanted an average elected element of 58%.
PFfeb2002
