Under heavy fire from MPs of all political parties in the Commons yesterday, leader of the house Robin Cook signalled that ministers could increase the number of elected members in a reformed House of Lords.

"What is now urgent is to find the package which would establish the greatest consensus among MPs and the public. Of course we are going to listen to what is said during the consultation period and, in that period of reflection that will follow, we will see if we can find the centre of gravity in order to move forward with reform," he said.

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith is to set to outflank Labour by proposing that up to 80 per cent of parliaments second chamber should be elected.