Conservative hereditary peers are readying themselves for a series of battles with the government to protest against their forthcoming ejection from the House of Lords.

Seeking revenge for their imminent expulsion from the upper house, the Tories want to hold up the government's legislative programme.

"In theory the Lords could spend the whole session debating hunting. As long as they are doing that they are not dealing with anything else. It is a huge weapon in their hands," said a senior government source.