麻豆约拍

Mark D'Arcy reports from Westminster as members of the House of Lords hold their first debate on the bill that would allow a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU in 2017.

The private member's bill has already been approved in the Commons, where some Labour and Lib Dem MPs tried, and failed, to delay its passage.

The bill is expected to face fiercer opposition in the Lords and its supporters fear the proposals will run out of parliamentary time.

Several times during today's debate, peers were warned against provoking a row with the elected House of Commons by delaying or thwarting the bill.

Also on tonight's programme, Mark casts an expert eye over the runners and riders for one of the plum political jobs at Westminster.