Windsor's MP rebels in House of Lords vote

Windsor's MP Adam Afriyie has explained why he joined 90 other Tory rebels voting against House of Lords reform.

Tuesday's rebellion was the biggest faced by the coalition government since it came to power.

Although it still won the vote on the principle of proposed reform with a majority of 338, the government had earlier dropped plans to limit debating time on the bill as it clearly stood chance of being defeated

On Thursday, Mr Afriyie said that creating jobs and helping hard-working families must be the Government’s top priority.

He said the House of Lords did not even feature on his constituents' list of concerns.

Mr Afriyie said: “Like many of my colleagues I would like to see Lords reform deal with restricting the growth in costs and size of the Lords and securing the good work it does by putting checks on the level of party patronage.

"But the draft bill does not address these issues."

He felt it stepped outside the terms of the 2010 coaltion agreement.