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Former Lib Dem minister Jo Swinson is backing Tim Farron to suceed Nick Clegg as leader. In an article , externalfor the Lib Dem Voice website, she says Mr Farron is a "star communicator" with the "talent, character and verve to lead us, and the infectious enthusiasm that will inspire us and others to follow him and champion our liberal cause". Ms Swinson lost her seat at the general election but, as a Lib Dem member, will still have a vote.

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Former Conservative Defence Secretary Liam Fox says he will vote to leave the EU unless a "looser" relationship between the UK and Brussels can be achieved. He also urges David Cameron to take his time over the timing of the poll, saying some of those pushing for it to be held before 2017 have "ulterior motives which are not entirely honourable". These people "want a decision made quickly to limit the level of debate", he adds.

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Former Attorney General Lord Falconer says he will attempt to reintroduce his private member's bill to legalise assisted dying for some terminally ill patients in this Parliament. But his chances of success are dependent on the member's bill ballot, he says, adding that it was "very odd that Parliament may be deprived of debating this very important issue...whatever your view, everyone agrees that Parliament should be debating it". Lord Falconer was speaking after the businessman Jeffrey Spector died aged 54 at the Dignitas centre in Switzerland following a six-year illness.

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Assistant political editor

The prime minister stands by his claim that EU treaty change is essential to secure the reforms he wants ahead of the EU referendum. Number 10 said the PM had been advised the change was necessary to get the changes in welfare and immigration that he is seeking.

The spokesman declined to comment on whether these treaty changes could be brought about by a protocol or some other arrangement short of full treaty negotiation. Pressed over the possible timetable for a referendum, the spokesman said the PM's priority was to get the right outcome.

The spokesman declined to say whether Mr Cameron's demands would be on the formal agenda in next month's EU summit or discussed in the margins.

Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, has told Buzzfeed News, external there is no "unions' candidate" in Labour's leadership race. She said the new "one member, one vote" system for the contest means the unions have far less sway over Ed Miliband's successor.

But she also told the website it was right for union leaders, such as Unite's Len McCluskey, to "try and guide their membership". Mr McCluskey has called for "a genuine debate" about the party's direction and said it was "essential that the correct leader emerged".

About 3.5 million union members are affiliated to the Labour Party, with a total of £11m donated from unions to the party last year.

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Gardeners in Downing Street and the Royal Parks in London are on strike today - for the first time since 1978 - in a row over pay and conditions.

Members of the GMB union employed by contractors OCS are protesting at changes to pay arrangements, including moving from weekly to monthly pay.

The union said the strike would affect the post bank holiday clean-up. It also comes one day before the State Opening of Parliament when the Queen will go past the bedding outside Buckingham Palace which the union warned will not get completed.

A GMB official told the Press Association that further industrial action was likely if the dispute was not resolved.

The controversial welfare reform bill is being debated by the Northern Ireland Assembly at the moment - and it is expected to be vetoed.  Sinn Féin and the SDLP have signed a petition of concern , which means the bill will not get the necessary cross-community support.

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: "If it cannot be implemented and if people will not face up to economic and political reality in Sinn Fein and elements of the SDLP then it is over to the British Government. It is over to them to say what they are going to do and in our view they have to step in and take welfare reform powers."

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The Democratic Unionist Party has called for the UK Government to step in and take control of welfare powers in Northern Ireland. Deputy leader Nigel Dodds said it was the only way to deal with the stalemate over reform to benefits. Separately, Mr Dodds has said the party is not planning to appointing an acting first minister while Peter Robinson recovers in hospital from a suspected heart attack. Mr Dodds says the situation will be kept "under review", adding that there is a "very strong" team of ministers in the Northern Ireland executive. 

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Legislation to introduce a blanket ban on so-called legal highs is expected to be included in the Queen's Speech tomorrow.

A Home Office source told BBC South East political editor Louise Stewart that the proposal had been included in the Conservatives' election manifesto, which stated that "we will create a blanket ban on all new psychoactive substances, protecting young people from exposure to so-called 'legal highs'".

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of EEF - the trade body which represents UK manufacturers - says the in/out referendum on Britain's EU membership should be held "as soon as is reasonably possible", saying uncertainty creates doubt, "which is the enemy of investment".

Mr Scuoler suggests it could take place as early as autumn 2016, which he says would give the prime minister sufficient time to conduct "meaningful" negotiations.

With Liz Kendall getting four more nominations this morning it's worth a reminder that contenders for the Labour leadership need to get the support of 35 Labour MPs to make it through to the mass vote. There have been suggestions that Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper have already sewn up a big chunk of the 232 Labour MPs - but it's worth pointing out that Burnham told BBC 5 live last week that he'd be willing to "lend" nominations to a rival if they fell just short of the 35 mark.

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Some more reaction just in to David Cameron's talks with European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker. EU Spokesman Margaritis Schinas said there was "nothing further to add" to Downing's Street's statement last night.

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The government has confirmed it will include in tomorrow's Queen's Speech a bill to let 1.3 million housing association tenants in England buy the homes they rent at a discounted price. The pledge was announced by the Conservatives during the election.

New communities minister, Greg Clark, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the government wanted to extend the opportunity for people to own their home.

However, Labour shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds said the Conservatives' plans "don't add up". 

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

Chuka Umunna's endorsement of Liz Kendall as the next Labour leader is significant, as there seems to be a degree of momentum building up behind her which could put her in position to challenge the candidate seen as the runaway favourite, Andy Burnham. Mr Umunna was seen to be a potential favourite for the top job, before he pulled out, and Tristram Hunt - who has also endorsed Ms Kendall's candidacy, is well regarded in the party.

SNP MP Pete Wishart has responded to Sir Malcolm Bruce's defence of Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael earlier today, saying it was "an extraordinary outburst".

He said Mr Carmichael had contested the election "on a false prospectus" and voters in his Orkney and Shetland constituency "have a right to ask whether he is still fit to serve as their MP".