The Government is considering its next move today, after MPs indicated their support for a wholly elected House of Lords.

Parliamentary rebellion is not quite what it used to be. Many of us recall the colourful heyday of ‘the beast of Bolsover’, Dennis Skinner MP, the backbencher who usurped the best seats, scowling leftist disapproval of Thatcherite policies and Labour fudges. His acerbic wit was a refreshing antidote to the bland reassurances of routine political rhetoric.

A report launched yesterday by the thinktank 'Theos', which argues for the retention of Bishops in a reformed House of Lords, has been criticised by humanists and Christians as failing to address issues of ethics, justice and equality.

Religious groups opposed to homosexuality have failed in their attempt to encourage British peers to scrap new rules providing lesbian and gay people with the same protection against discrimination as have been enjoyed by faith groups since 1998.

Ahead of a rally in opposition to the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) outside parliament tonight (9 January 2007), which protestors predict will attract several thousand participants, supporters of the equalities legislation ‚Ä' from civil rights, religious and secular groups ‚Ä' say that the regulations are being widely misrepresented.

A leading Evangelical has branded planned demonstrations by Christians against the Government's proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) due to be discussed in the House of Lords tomorrow, as "virulent" and "aggressive".