MPs have tonight voted for a completely elected House of Lords, in a surprise move that breaks the deadlock over the Government's reform of the Upper Chamber.

Following a two-day debate, the House of Commons voted for a completely elected chamber by 337 to 224, a majority of 113.

Although tonight’s vote is merely indicative and does not automatically become law, it is expected to heavily frame the Government's thinking when it draws up its policies on the second chamber. Jack Straw, the Leader of the House, had earlier given its members a free vote on the issue.

The vote for a 100 per cent elected chamber was considered a surprise, with an amendment favouring an 80 per cent elected/20 per cent appointed chamber having previously been considered the favourite. That had also passed, by 305 votes to 267, a majority of 38.

MPs earlier rejected a number of other amendments, including the 50/50 split favoured by both Mr Straw and Tony Blair.

They also rejected a move by Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders to ensure that the remaining hereditary peers would only be removed when elected peers have taken their seats in a reformed Lords.

Mr Straw later welcomed the decision, but would not commit to backing any option until the Lords votes on the matter next week.

"This is an historic step forward on an issue which has been a matter of debate for decades," he said.

"The House of Commons has broken the deadlock. It is a dramatic result in the history of the British Parliament.

"I am delighted that MPs of all parties have come together to signal the way forward.

"The Lords will vote next week, and we will consider the next move following that vote.

"I then hope to be able to bring the cross party group together to discuss the next stage of reform."

The cross-party group is made up of representatives of the Government, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and crossbench peers.

Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, also labelled the move "a truly historic occasion".

However Lord Puttnam, a Labour peer who was appointed to the Lords, told Sky News that he did not believe the Lords would back the plans.

"I do not actually believe that the Lords will put this through for all sorts of perfectly valid reasons in this Parliament," he said.

"But the Lords will, of course, bow to a newly elected Parliament based on a manifesto commitment."

It may still take several years for the change to elections to take place. The Lords will vote next week and are expected to reject elections and opt for an appointed second chamber.

But with both the main parties backing reform the Government is likely to bring forward legislation in the next session of Parliament for an elected House. If that were to be blocked in the Lords, Gordon Brown — if he is by then prime minister — will make an elected Lords a central plank of Labour’s manifesto and David Cameron will promise at least 80 per cent.

The move comes after decades of parliamentary deadlock over how to reform the Lords, with no cohesive decision ever having been reached on how to change the way the chamber, which is currently partially appointed and partially run by hereditary peers, is run.

The Lords is in charge of checking and amending laws passed by the House of Commons.

HOW MPS VOTED ON LORDS REFORM OPTIONS

1. Keep a two-chamber Parliament PASSED 416 for, 163 ag

2. Fully appointed second chamber REJECTED 196 for, 375 ag

3. 20% elected, 80% appointed REJECTED no vote

4. 40% elected, 60% appointed REJECTED no vote

5. 50% elected, 50% appointed REJECTED 155 for, 418 ag

6. 60% elected, 40% appointed REJECTED 178 for, 392 ag

7. 80% elected, 20% appointed PASSED 305 for, 267 ag

8. Fully elected second chamber PASSED 337 for, 224 ag

9. Hereditaries stay until election REJECTED 241 for, 329 ag

10. Axe remaining hereditary peers PASSED 391 for, 111 ag

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