Summary

  • David Cameron holds his weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions

  • The government unveils legislation to toughen up the laws on strike action

  • Unions says the changes will make legal strikes close to impossible

  • MPs debate revised government proposals to give England's MPs a veto over English laws.

  1. Today's EVEL debatepublished at 15:23

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Leader of the House Chris Grayling steps up to begin the debate on English Votes for English Laws. And he says it gives him another chance to outline the government's proposals.

    The second day of debate on this matter will be after the summer recess, when the motion will be put - and when amendments can be tabled.

    So today, it's debate, discussion and elaboration. 

  2. Kendall: We are powerlesspublished at 15:22

    BBC News Channel

    Boris Johnson

    Explaining her opposition to the strikes reforms, Liz Kendall says she's a "strong believer in social partnerships between businesses and trade unions" saying that's how to get "better results" for businesses and employees.

    Quote Message

    The great tragedy is because we've lost [the election] we are powerless at the moment to prevent bills like this being put forward. I love my party and want us to get back to winning ways so we can stop things like this happening in future."

  3. Kendall on union reformspublished at 15:14

    BBC News Channel

    Labour leadership contender Liz Kendall says the government's trade union reforms are "a blatant political attack from the Tories in an attempt to try and destroy our movement". Under her leadership that would not be allowed to happen, she says. "These Tory proposals are wrong... and I'll fight it," she adds

  4. Green MP's proposalspublished at 15:13

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    After a division, Caroline Lucas's ten minute rule bill is given a second reading. The result: Ayes: 183 and noes 44.

    Remember, though, it is unlikely to make it onto the statute book without government help.

  5. Corbyn in the lead?published at 15:04

    Jeremy CorbynImage source, Getty Images

    Jeremy Corbyn is ahead in the first round of voting for the Labour leadership, the New Statesman reports. It says it's seen private polling which suggests the leader hopeful is on top. 

    "It appears as if the Islington North MP's strength is largely coming from new and younger members," it says, but adds: "There is now a conversation about what can be done to prevent a Corbyn victory," it adds. More here., external

  6. She's their boss (see 14:54)published at 15:01

    BBC political correspondent tweets...

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  7. 'The tyranny of the majority'published at 14:58

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Conservative right-winger Philip Davies rises to speak against Caroline Lucas's bill saying that it would undermine parental responsibility and would instill the "tyranny of the majority".

  8. Sex education lessonspublished at 14:55

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Green MP Caroline Lucas is reintroducing a bill to make personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) a statutory subject in all state schools in England. 

    She says that the last statutory guidance for sex and relationship education was published 15 years ago before the mass use of mobile phones and social media and so is in need of updating.

    Ms Lucas also says that teachers are not given the curriculum time or training that they want for PSHE and that making the subject a statutory requirement would address these issues.

  9. Who's the boss?published at 14:54

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  10. To lead, or not to lead?published at 14:53

    William Shakespeare

    Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham has suggested he might turn to writing once his political days are over, Buzzfeed's Emily Ashton reports, external. At an event at a private members' club, he said his love of Shakespeare means he tries to "get some power" into his speeches: "Not just to the words but to the cadence and the build-up."

  11. Marathon aheadpublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 15 July 2015

    PA's parliamentary editor tweets...

  12. Ten minute rule billpublished at 14.40

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Green MP Caroline Lucas is introducing her Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Bill under the ten minute rule motion (which basically means she has ten minutes to make the case for her bill).

    It would require that PSHE be a statutory requirement in all state-funded schools and would include education on ending violence against women and girls.

    Caroline Lucas
  13. A 'regrettable decision'published at 14:30

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Damian Green

    Former policing minister Damian Green says that the home secretary has made a "regrettable decision".

    Mr Green says "it is not a choice between water cannon and policing by consent, but of using water cannon or some other violent force that the police need in an emergency situation". He says that it is not obvious to him that water cannon is more dangerous than the alternatives such as tasers and batons.

  14. Not just Borispublished at 14:23

    Quite a few Conservative MPs are criticising Theresa May's decision not to authorise the use of water cannons, among them former police minister Damian Green. But there have been plenty of plaudits, with SNP MPs and home affairs committee chairman Keith Vaz among those to offer their congratulations.

  15. Bidding starts?published at 14:21 British Summer Time 15 July 2015

    Sun deputy political editor tweets

  16. The mayor speakspublished at 14:17

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Boris JohnsonImage source, BCB

    The Mayor of London Boris Johnson says that while he doesn't agree with the conclusion of the decision he thanks Theresa May for the "thoughtful" way in which she gave her reasons.

    Mr Johnson says that the decision to buy the water cannons had the support of the prime minister and the people of London as found in a poll he quotes saying that 68% were in favour of their use. The mayor asks whether police forces will be able to apply for the use of "non-lethal methods of crowd control" in future.

    Mrs May confirms that the police are always able to apply for such equipment through the proper process.

  17. 'Pouring cold water' the mayor's ambitionspublished at 14:10

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Yvette Cooper
    Boris Johnson

    Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper rises to support Theresa May's statement and her decision to reject the use of water cannons saying that the home secretary is "exactly right".

    Ms Cooper says she welcomes the home secretary "pouring cold water" the mayor of London's water cannon ambitions. Mr Johnson looks on ruefully from the conservative benches.

  18. Reasons for rejecting water cannonspublished at 14:05

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Theresa May

    Ms May says that on the basis of the evidence provided she has decided not to allow the use of the water cannons.

    The Home Secretary says that international evidence demonstrates health risks posed by the water cannons on people in crowds. She also says that their operational use is also questionable as they are not mobile enough to deal with mobile public order incidents such as riots.

    Ms May also says that the use of water cannons would have a negative impact on public perceptions of police legitimacy.

  19. Water cannons rejectedpublished at 13:58
    Breaking

    House of Commons
    Parliament

    Home Secretary Theresa May confirms she has decided not to authorise the use of water cannons in London.

    Approval was given in June 2014 for the Metropolitan Police to purchase three water cannons for London. Stephen Greenhalgh, deputy mayor for policing and crime, authorised the force to buy the cannon from the German Federal Police.

  20. 'Within range'published at 13:55

    Sketchwriter spots the mayor