MP DAVID Chaytor has promised to carry on the fight to make the House of Lords democratic.

He said he is frustrated that his fellow MPs rejected moves to have an elected "upper house".

The Bury North backbencher did not vote for abolition of the Lords, because he believes a second chamber provides vital "checks and balances".

He voted for the Lords to be 100 per cent elected and, when that failed by 17 votes, then voted for a "second-best" option of 80 per cent. This was also defeated by just three votes as was a 60 per cent elected option.

But the Labour man was in the majority when he voted against a second chamber being entirely composed of appointed members, which was Tony Blair's preference.

"I am a democrat, my constituents know my views," said Mr Chaytor. "Other people have to wake up to the importance of this issue and clamour for their MPs to take it up.

"I agree that it's not the number one issue at the moment, but we want a democracy that's simple, open and transparent, that the public understands. It's essential for strengthening our democracy and retaining trust in it.

"The principle is that people in power have to have a mandate, and the public has a means of getting rid of them if they don't perform."

Mr Chaytor would not comment on why the Prime Minister supported an entirely appointed Lords, despite Labour's manifesto commitment to make it more democratic.

But he said: "I shall continue to advance the virtues of democracy to my colleagues, who just need a bit more persuasion and convincing."

He added: "I think it's a generational thing. Even if we cannot get a consensus in this Parliament, I am convinced that the balance of power will shift at the next election, when a number of long-serving MPs go and younger ones come in."