Manchester MP John Leech tables first Commons motion

Manchester MP John Leech has tabled the first Commons motions of the new Parliamentary term.

The Liberal Democrat MP for Withington has raised the issue of people not being able to vote at some polling stations in Manchester on election day.

In 2007, another Lib Dem MP, Bob Russell, slept in a sleeping bag in the Commons vote office overnight to be first in the queue.

Mr Leech tabled 15 early day motions in total.

Such motions allow MPs to express their opinion and to invite other members to add their signatures in support.

If backed by a lot of MPs, they can be used to argue for a full debate on the issue in the Commons or to influence future policy.

Mr Leech's first motion comes after about 200 people queuing to vote at a polling station in Ladybarn were turned away at 2200 BST on polling day.

He has previously told the BBC he would be raising the issue with the government and the Electoral Commission.

Other issues raised included free television licenses for pensioners and a note on the importance of the minimum wage rate for support workers who care for vulnerable adults overnight.

He also tabled a motion supporting Beautiful South frontman and Withington constituent Paul Heaton on his plans to visit 16 pubs around the country on a bicycle.