Commons modernisation plans will give "Labour MPs an easier time at Westminster", claim the Conservatives.

Attacking Robin Cook's attempts to make parliament less tribal and more relevant to the public, shadow deputy leader of the House of Commons, Greg Knight, accused Labour of trying to silence opposition.

"Some of these proposals will reduce scrutiny and are a further attack on the parliamentary rights of opposition parties."

"Recommendations announced today by Robin Cook, the leader of the House of Commons, revealed Labour's continuing contempt for the parliamentary process."

The Yorkshire MP is a member of the committee which drew up the blueprint for Commons reform.

But Knight is opposed to proposals allowing ministers to carry over controversial legislation from one session of parliament to the next - "making it harder for the opposition to kill a bill".

The Tories are also angry over plans to slash the time spent debating some laws and "the imposition of time limits on MP's speeches".

"They are designed to enable Labour to get their legislation more easily and perhaps without proper scrutiny," he said.

"They are also designed to make life easier for Labour backbenchers and show a complete disregard for the rights of opposition parties," he added.

"Modernisation", believes Knight and many of his Tory colleagues, is government code for a neutered Commons.

"For most Labour Members the word 'modernisation' is a euphemism for short debates, shorter speeches, early nights, long weekends and a further reduction of the power of Opposition Parties to hold this government to account," he argued.

The Conservative frontbencher points to the Labour controlled select committee's rejection "of a twice-weekly topical question time to enable ministers to be immediately questioned on current issues".

"At Robin Cook's request, this Labour-dominated committee rejected these proposals," he said.

"Clearly, ministers do not want to be put on the spot. Most of the changes suggested to-day amount to giving ministers and Labour backbenchers an easier life."