As MPs debated a motion tabled by the government on the application of article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which enshrines the right to a family or private life in law, on 19 June 2012, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said she backed ministers' aim to deport more foreign criminals.

BBC: Debate on ECHR right to family life

As the Commons embarked on the second day of debate on the contents of the Queen's Speech on 19 November, Mr Balls accused shadow schools secretary Michael Gove of trying to "run down" the achievements of young people by claiming they only had to respond to "Mickey Mouse" test questions, which had been "dumbed down".

BBC: Queen's Speech debate: Education and health

In the Commons on 19 March 2012, Labour's shadow health secretary Andy Burnham made the application to Speaker John Bercow for an emergency debate on the matter.

BBC: Labour granted emergency debate on NHS Bill

He said Mr Fox, MP for North Somerset for 19 years, had "done a superb job in the 17 months since the election, and as shadow defence secretary before that" and had overseen changes that would allow the armed forces to "meet the challenges of the modern era".

BBC: Defence Secretary Liam Fox quits