Elections 2015: David Cameron meets Backbenchers for The First Time

David Cameron is due to address Conservative backbenchers for the first time since winning a majority, as he continues to appoint his new cabinet.

He retains Iain Duncan Smith as Work and Pensions Secretary, while Baroness Stowell remains leader of the Lords. 

The PM revealed he has already spoken to European leaders about renegotiating Britain’s relationship with the EU, ahead of his planned in/out referendum.

A senior backbencher said ministers should be free to back a UK exit.

Graham Brady, who chairs the 1922 Committee, said Mr Cameron should allow “freedom of expression” to avoid tension within the party.

In other news:

• The Parliamentary Labour Party will meet, as acting leader Harriet Harman warns against a “blame game” over its defeat
• UKIP’s national executive committee will decide who will be interim leader of the party as Douglas Carswell rules himself out
• The European Commission will this week present a migration policy for Europe, including controversial proposals to set refugee quotas for all EU member states
• The BBC understands Angus Robertson will remain as SNP leader in the House of Commons as the party’s new intake of 56 MPs are making their way to Westminster for the first time
• George Galloway says he has launched legal proceedings to challenge the result of the Bradford West election
• The British Chambers of Commerce has written to the PM urging him to take bold action to secure the UK’s economic future

The Conservatives won a 12-seat majority in the House of Commons in Thursday’s election, taking 331 of the 650 seats. You can see the full results here.

As MPs return to Westminster, Mr Cameron will pledge to ensure the “economic recovery reaches all parts of our country”.

Source: BBC News