After that peers can settle down to one of their favourite activities: detailed constitutional debate, in the committee stage of the Succession to the Crown Bill.

BBC: Week ahead

During committee stage debate on the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill on 26 January 2010, Justice Secretary Jack Straw told MPs that it was no longer acceptable for the remaining 92 hereditary peers to continue electing former hereditary peers back into the Lords.

BBC: Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

Mr Speaker, this will address the most immediate issues about which we know the public are most upset - but it will only be the first stage of our legislation on constitutional renewal.

BBC: In full: Constitution proposals

The document's passage sets the stage for the first elections to a fully constitutional Iraqi parliament.

ECONOMIST: Now for the hard part | The

Although Democrats have dominated in state elections for some time, and it is only a Republican remnant that has been blocking tax increases, California voters at an earlier stage empowered this minority to hold off levy hikes when they approved Proposition 13, a constitutional amendment.

FORBES: Debt Ceilings and Divided Democracies