§07§The second volume of Raina's House of Lords Reform picks up during the Second World War. Despite the crisis in Europe and elsewhere, reform had not been forgotten. This volume continues up until 1958 and contains many never before published records. It is building into the definitive history of movements for and against reform in the Upper House. §16§Peter Raina's House of Lords Reform recounts the long struggle to bring an ancient institution up to date. The first volume ended in 1937, as crisis overwhelmed Europe. Reform issues were not forgotten, however. This second volume continues the story, presenting a wealth of illuminating records, a great many of them published here for the first time.§The 4th Marquess of Salisbury planned changes to the Lords even before the war's end. Further proposals followed after the establishment of the Labour government in 1945. Fearful that its legislation would be blocked, Labour amended the Parliament Act, 1911 to limit the Lords' delaying powers to just one year. Some believed the Upper House would disappear altogether.§Salisbury's heir worked hard for preservation, and managed to secure an all-party conference. Its complex schemes and animated discussions are all presented here in original documents. Though the conference failed, Lords Reading, Exeter and Simon continued the effort, wit §16§h ideas that would eventually bear fruit. They championed the rights of women, self-regulation through standing orders, and the creation of life peers. The Churchill government formed a Lords Reform Committee but could get no further. Then, in an unexpected twist, the cause finally triumphed when Harold Macmillan and the Earl of Home got a one-clause bill through parliament in 1958. The Life Peers Act transformed the nature of British politics. §04§Contents: House of Lords - Reform - Upper House - Original records uncovered - Social history - Political history - Proposals - Legislature - Women's rights - Life peers. §13§"Your book, a magnum opus, is a major breakthrough in a process which has been so difficult, ever since 1911 and before." (Sir Michael Wheeler-Booth, Honorary Fellow, Magdalen College, Oxford)
