Rayner says Labour must not ‘blink or buckle’ any more on workers’ rights as she defends compromise plan – UK politics live

Former deputy PM addresses Commons as MPs back deal to allow protection from unfair dismissal to start after six months of employmentToday the Lib Dem MP Al Pinkerton will use the 10-minute rule procedure in the Commons to propose a bill for the UK to join a customs union with the EU. S0-called “10-minute rule bills” never get properly debated, and never become law, but they allow an MP to make a speech in Commons “prime time” defending a particular cause. Normally there is no division when the speaker asks MPs to agree “that leave be given to bring in the bill”, but sometimes MPs object and force a vote.Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, has written to Keir Starmer urging him to allow Labour MPs to vote for the bill if there is a division. Presumably the Lib Dems are hoping that Tory MPs do object, because then a division will take place and votes are recorded. For campaigning purposes, it would be helpful to Lib Dem candidates to be able to say, when given the chance to vote for joining a customs unions, certain Labour MPs did not vote, or voted against.Even if the government retains its position of ruling out a customs union - despite the significant boost to economic growth which it would deliver - it is only right that you grant your backbenchers the opportunity to express their support for it. Continue reading...