Peers are readying themselves for another showdown with the coalition over its political reform programme today, as the Fixed-term Parliaments Bill reaches the House of Lords.
Nick Clegg has insisted the Bill, which will introduce fixed-term parliaments of five years, is a noble move designed to ensure the timing of general elections are no longer the "plaything" of the prime minister.
But ministers will find it impossible to escape accusations that it is nothing more than a rushed short-term political calculation intended to stop David Cameron cutting and running from the coalition should he glimpse the chance to secure an overall Commons majority.
There is also likely to be a bun-fight over the precise length of each Parliament amid concerns five-year terms are too long and make MPs less accountable to voters.
Another sticking point for peers will be the proposal that Parliament can only be dissolved in advance of the fixed-term if two thirds of MPs vote in favour of a motion of no confidence.
Malcolm Jack, the clerk of the Commons, has warned that placing this rule in statute would leave the interpretation as to whether a motion had been passed open to challenge in the courts.
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