A former Labour leader of the Lords has slammed "half-baked" government plans for reform of parliament's second chamber and predicted that the controversial proposals will not make it into law.

"The fact of the matter is that a half-baked reform, such as is now being proposed by the government, frankly it won't work. I don't think it would get through parliament, and thirdly the public won't have it," Lord Richard told the BBC.

The government's proposals are set for a rough ride in Westminster when the government's second stage reform white paper is discussed first by peers on Wednesday and then by MPs on Thursday.

Particularly controversial are plans to limit the elected component of the reformed house to a fifth, prompting charges of Downing Street "cronyism" and concerns over a democratic deficit from many parliamentarians and campaigners.

Tony Blair is opposed to an elected Lords on the basis that it would lead to Westminster "gridlock" and challenge the authority of the Commons - a fear dismissed by Lord Richard.

"I've never understood what is wrong with elections. Elections are the way that we are used to doing it. The country knows how to run them and you produce a result," he said.

The senior Labour peer backs a compromise of two thirds elected to one third nominated and argues that if the Lords was play its role properly it had to have both legitimacy and credibility.

"I don't know any other way you can do that except by having elections. That is what the country's used to. When we were in opposition, we campaigned quite vigorously, John Smith and the rest of us, on the idea that the second chamber should be predominantly, but not exclusively elected," he said. "Now that's my position then and it's remained my position since."