We have so much to learn from America's system of government

If the UK is to continue with a bicameral system of government to provide some check on the powers of the Executive, of course the second chamber must be filled by people with a wide range of knowledge and experience across many fields (Letters, July 10).

The present proposals, if they ever get enacted at all, fall a long way short of achieving this aim.

We may have already got rid of most of the hereditary peers, but they have mostly been replaced by former Commons ministers and backbench MPs or major party donors, all appointed by the patronage of successive prime ministers.

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