MPs debated the Hillsborough law bill in the Commons on 14 July 2026, with the outgoing prime minister opening the third reading debate, according to the Guardian, while the government announced a change to the next day's parliamentary business.
Key facts
- The outgoing prime minister opened the third reading debate on the Hillsborough law bill, according to the Guardian.
- Andy Burnham and the outgoing prime minister addressed the Commons, according to the Guardian.
- Leader of the House Alan Campbell announced Wednesday's opposition day debate would be replaced with a general debate on the situation in Iran.
- A vote on regulations banning support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is also scheduled.
- The government holds a Commons majority of more than 150.
MPs turned their attention to the Hillsborough law bill on 14 July 2026, with the outgoing prime minister opening the third reading debate in the House of Commons, according to the Guardian’s live coverage. Andy Burnham also addressed the Commons during the session.
During proceedings, the leader of the House, Alan Campbell, announced a change to the following day’s parliamentary business. Wednesday had been set aside for an opposition day debate on a motion tabled by the Conservatives. Instead, the government said there would be a general debate on the situation in Iran, alongside a vote on regulations banning support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Responding to a question from Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke, Campbell said he had been “totally unaware” not only of the wording of the planned Conservative opposition day motion but also of the topic it was going to cover. Seeking to reassure MPs that this was not untrue, he said he was speaking at the despatch box and that members understood the importance of a minister “telling the absolute truth when they stand here.”
The changes drew criticism, with a claim aired in the Commons that the government could not trust its MPs to vote the right way on a motion concerning delaying the recess and did not want a new prime minister to face scrutiny before September, according to the Guardian.
The same criticism described the incoming prime minister as having been “chosen by a coronation not a contest, with no known platform, almost no known policies, and no idea of his priorities or indeed his cabinet team,” according to the Guardian.
According to the Guardian, the government holds a Commons majority of more than 150.
Why it matters
The reshuffling of Commons business and the debate over scrutiny of an incoming prime minister point to tensions over parliamentary accountability during a transition of leadership.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hillsborough law bill?
The sources describe MPs debating and voting on an amendment to the Hillsborough law bill, with the outgoing prime minister opening its third reading debate in the Commons, but do not provide further detail on the bill's contents.
Why was Wednesday's parliamentary business changed?
According to the Guardian, leader of the House Alan Campbell announced that Wednesday's planned Conservative opposition day debate would be replaced with a general debate on the situation in Iran, plus a vote on regulations banning support for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Who addressed the Commons during the debate?
The Guardian reported that outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer opened the third reading debate and that both Starmer and Andy Burnham addressed the Commons.