"how arrogant to happily play games by blocking the plans of a democratically elected Government!"
Since when did Peter Mandelson = democratically elected government?
In any case, it has always been the case that the House of Lords has had the power to challenge and revise legislation originating in the commons.
In any case, much of the criticism of the contents of this QS is that it contains much policy which is highly unlikely ever to make it onto the statute books, given the proximity of the next General Election. In other words, it's all just wishful thinking and electioneering.
I don't think it's right that it should be like this - but, to be fair, I doubt the Conservatives would have turned the opportunity for a bit of propaganda, had the boot been on the other foot.
Some very quick thoughts about the contents - move to curb Bankers bonuses is blatant populism. Let's blame the bankers for the mess we're in and conveniently forget that it was Brown's failure to regulate the banks properly which led to the almighty mess we're in.
How on earth do they plan to halve the budget deficit within 4 years, whilst keeping on with the "investments" that GB is always banging on about?
How are they going to pay for free social care for the most needy pensioners?
As for school report cards - aren't they simply going to be replacing one set of eague tabvles with another? But whereas the existing ones focus on academic results, the new ones will also be about pastoral care and wellbeing.... no doubt leading to yet more lowering of educational standards. I wish schools could just get on with educating children, rather than trying to be surrogate parents and social workers.