Policy Announcements, Friday 18th May

Government  

• A controversial bill exempting MPs and peers from freedom of information laws has moved closer to being passed. Cross-party opponents had hoped to "talk out" the bill by using up all its allocated time in the Commons. But after five hours of debate - and with five minutes to go - supporters of the bill voted for it to proceed to the Lords for further consideration. Critics say the bill, which will now get a third reading, is aimed at keeping expenses and allowances secret. But supporters, including Tory David Maclean who introduced the bill, say Parliament should be exempt so as to protect letters to constituents.  

Conservatives  

• Conservative leader David Cameron has slapped down backbench rebels demanding a u-turn over grammar schools. The MPs are angry about Mr Cameron's decision to end the Tories' traditional support for academic selection. He told the Evening Standard the party would "never be taken seriously by parents" while it backed selection. Reports the rebels would be bought off with a pledge to repeal laws allowing parents to scrap existing grammar schools were firmly denied. Tory education spokesman David Willetts said: "Our position has been consistent throughout."  
• Police should be "street-corner diplomats" and use their discretion in tackling crime David Cameron, told leaders of rank and file officers yesterday. But he said they are currently "agents of Whitehall", burdened with Home Office performance targets and bureaucracy. Mr Cameron denied that he was soft on crime and said he did not expect anyone to "hug a hoodie".