Summary

  • John Bercow was re-elected as Commons Speaker unopposed as MPs returned to the Commons

  • David Cameron set out his vision for a truly seven-day-a-week NHS

  • Both Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper claimed key endorsements in the Labour leadership contest

  1. Bercow 'dragged' to his seatpublished at 16:38

    John Bercow

    A quick look back now at how in a traditional ceremony, Mr Bercow was "dragged" from his seat between Tories Charles Walker and Julian Lewis (two key allies) to the Speaker's chair, after the motion to re-appoint him was passed unopposed. 

  2. Scotland Billpublished at 16:27

    Westminster editor, Daily Record, tweets...

  3. Cohen's Labour advicepublished at 16:15

    Nick Cohen, journalist and writer for the Observer tweets...

  4. New anglespublished at 16:02

    David Cameron

    Did you spot anything out of the ordinary in today's Commons coverage? Two new cameras to the left and right of the Speaker's chair will give television viewers a new perspective on proceedings.  

    Harriet Harman
  5. Peers processpublished at 15:54

    House of Lords
    Image caption,

    Members of the House of Lords line up to take the oath or solemn affirmation of parliamentary service

    You'll find more from the House of Lords over at BBC Westminster Live

  6. Small partiespublished at 15:52

    Angus Robertson, the SNP's group leader in Westminster, thanked Mr Bercow for treating the smaller parties fairly in the last parliament when his party had just six MPs compared with the 56 today. 

    He said the SNP would "look forward to making Scotland's voice heard". Mr Robertson also joked: 

    Quote Message

    "We still, however, support the fair treatment of smaller parties - smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, and the other really small parties who only have one member like the Scottish Conservative Party, the Scottish Labour Party and the Scottish Liberal Democrats."

    Angus Robertson

  7. 'Seven-day NHS'published at 15:40

    Chris Cook
    Newsnight Policy Editor

    Over on the Newsnight Live Page, policy editor Chris Cook says there is strong support from the "NHS machinery" for the move towards a "seven-day NHS".

    He also reminds us that the ambition is not new.

  8. Meanwhile...published at 15:33

    Over in the House of Lords, peers are taking the oath. For live updates click here .

  9. 'One nation'published at 15:30

    BBC political correspondent tweets...

  10. 'Guarantor of fairness'published at 15:28

    Nigel Dodds

    Nigel Dodds, the leader of the DUP at Westminster, follows and yep, you guessed it, he too pays tribute to the new Speaker and Sir Gerald.

    He says Mr Bercow has been "the guarantor of fairness" in the House of Commons, upheld the rights of backbenchers and ensured that the voice of smaller parties is heard "loud and clear".

    Following congratulations from some of the other smaller parties, the Speaker nearly forgets to call the Liberal Democrat, Alistair Carmichael, who says he is certain John Bercow will serve the house well in the role he is taking.  

  11. SNP: We'll play our partpublished at 15:25

    Angus Robertson

    "We look forward to making Scotland's voice heard," says Angus Robertson, the Westminster leader of the SNP. The party now has 56 MPs, making it the third largest in the House.

    Mr Robertson echoes the tributes to Sir Gerald and Mr Bercow - and adds that the party will "play its full and fair part".

  12. Political swipepublished at 15:23

    A Labour MP tweets...

  13. Harman: I'm the mother of the Housepublished at 15:20

    Harriet Harman

    Harriet Harman follows David Cameron in congratulating Sir Gerald Kaufman on his new role as Father of the House -  but says there is also a Mother of the House: "It is myself, and together we're going to do good parenting," she adds to laughter from MPs.

  14. 'He is a giant'published at 15:19

    Quote Message

    He may be small in stature, but make no mistake, in this office he is a giant. And of all the Speakers since I was elected he is the best. When you want to speak up for your constituents - whether you are a government backbencher or on the opposition benches - he will make sure your voice and your case is heard."

    Harriet Harman, Acting leader of the Labour Party

  15. 'One nation Parliament'published at 15:14

    Addressing acting Labour leader Harriet Harman, David Cameron says there seems to be a common pattern: "A man comes along and does the job and makes a terrible mess of it and she comes along and has to sort it all out". He wonders why she's not made Labour leader permanently.

    Mr Cameron goes on to welcome all new MPs and praises the diversity of the new House, with its greater numbers of female and ethnic minority MPs. But we have more to do, he adds.

    In his final remarks, he reiterates his promise for this to be a "one nation government" and says he hopes it will be a "one nation Parliament", too.

  16. 'My old seat'published at 15:11 British Summer Time 18 May 2015

    A former Labour MP tweets:

  17. 'No ambush'published at 15:09 British Summer Time 18 May 2015

    A Lib Dem MP tweets:

  18. Cameron congratulates Bercowpublished at 15:0815:06

    David Cameron

    David Cameron, who is struggling with a croaky voice, congratulates John Bercow on his re-election on behalf of the whole House.

    He says it is a tribute to the "inclusive way" he has upheld the office, "always putting backbenchers first".

    He adds: "I'm sure you'll do that in this parliament,just as you did in the last."

    Mr Cameron also extends his congratulations to Sir Gerald Kaufman on his new role as Father of the House.

  19. Bercow: It's the greatest honourpublished at 15:05

    John Bercow
    Quote Message

    "I would like to thank the House for again bestowing upon me the greatest honour that it can confer upon any member. I am intensely conscious of the responsibilities into which I again enter and I shall do my best to discharge those responsibilities efficiently, effectively and fairly."

  20. 'Depressing'published at 15:02 British Summer Time 18 May 2015

    A Labour MP tweets: