House of Lords reform: Tory rebels set to vote with Labour to defeat Coalition plans THE COALITION is bracing itself for a potentially damaging Commons defeat over controversial plans to reform the House of Lords. MPs to vote tonight on timetable motion on Lords reform Tory rebels threaten to vote with Labour Bill seen as vital to Lib Dems Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, was berated by Tory backbenchers yesterday as he opened a two-day debate which could have far-reaching consequences for the coalition. Afterwards aides admitted their chances of winning the crucial vote tonight on a timetable motion - limiting the time for debate in the Commons - were no better than 50-50. "It is close - unquestionably," said one aide to Mr Clegg. Rebel Tories are threatening to combine with Labour to vote against the timetable motion - seen as essential if the House of Lords Reform Bill is not to be "talked out" by opponents making marathon speeches. Although the Bill has the backing of both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaderships, it is regarded as vital to the Lib Dems after their defeat in the referendum on AV voting reform for parliamentary elections. Downing Street has confirmed all members of the Government - including unpaid ministerial aides - would be expected to vote for the legislation. Around 70 Conservatives backbenchers had signed a letter warning the plans for a mainly elected upper chamber threatened a "constitutional crisis" and calling for the Bill to be given "full and unrestricted" scrutiny. Signatories included a number of select committee chairmen - among them Bernard Jenkin, John Whittingdale, James Arbuthnot and Bill Cash - as well as the former shadow home secretary David Davis. Critics of the plans claim an elected House of Lords could undermine the power of the Commons, leading to constitutional deadlock.