[Gayle]

I do agree in the principal of a two tier system so that there is a scrutiny process but clearly existing methods don't work or aren't acceptable. So, just a thought but what would work

Inherited peers - tested and not appropriate for today's society
Business leaders - tend to be selected by the government so open to corruption

Alternatives

Elected - most likely would follow the voting pattern of the House of Commons, i.e. if Labour were elected to the HoC, it is likely that the public would vote Labour peers in. This wouldn't allow for any controls i.e. Labour pass a law through the commons and chances it would be passed by their counterparts in the Lords.

Selected from top universities and think tanks - oh, my goodness, we don't want things over analysed.

Public figures - we could have all our most important decisions made by Davina McCall.

Random members of the public - a bit like jury service.

Any other suggestions?