Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

Dare I say that the hon. Gentleman seems to be following a rather esoteric path? The reasons why we have such odd rules that allow all sorts of strange people to come here and become peers and Members of Parliament are, firstly, our imperial past, particularly in respect of Commonwealth citizens—we have never modernised the rules in that regard but have left them as they are—and secondly, our mediaeval past, which is about personal fealty. People could move around and pledge personal fealty, and fulfil it. What fascinates me—dare I say it?—is the rather nationalist view the hon. Gentleman is expressing. I find it strangely out of keeping with the principles that I normally associate with the Liberal Democrats.