Members of the feudal House of Lords last week failed to block government plans to reform the National Health Service. Some of the unelected legislators had hoped to have the reforms referred to a committee of “lords” and MPs, which the government feared would effectively sabotage its plans for the NHS.
The reforms are the work of a mostly Conservative government and most opposition comes from the left and centre. There might have been a pleasing irony, therefore, if the Conservatives had taken a blow from a feudal institution they still defend. But it would not have been without again shaming those of its opponents who are still willing to embrace feudalism.