Fears that the government is set to kick the next stage of Lords reform into touch have grown after the committee charged with examining the issue decided to disband.

The joint committee of MPs and peers opted to wind itself up after a series of parliamentary votes revealed no clear support for any of the reform options.

The decision will be a boost to Tony Blair, who backed an all-appointed upper house.

Critics say the committee's decision is a major blow to those who support an elected element in the second chamber.

Committee chairman Jack Cunningham had joined forces with Robin Cook to argue for the committee to draw up new plans.

But William Hague and former chancellor Kenneth Clarke united with Labour and Lib Dem members to put the issue back into the government's hands.

The 24-strong committee had brought forward a range of options - all of which were rejected by the House of Commons.

Some fear that the prime minister will allow the current 92 hereditary peers to die off and therefore secure an appointed chamber by default.

Others suggest the decision to send the issue back to ministers will force them to act.

They argue that the government will now have to account for why no progress has been made on a manifesto commitment to make the second chamber "more democratic".

Karen Bartlett, Director of Charter88, said the committee's decision was "outrageous".

"A democratic upper house has been doomed to failure by a small minority, including the lord chancellor, who are determined to thwart reform every step of the way," she said.

"Only election confers democratic authority. The people of this country want and deserve the democratic government they have so long been denied."