Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 7 Jul 2012

1. CAMERON FACES TORY REVOLT

Up to 100 Conservative MPs may vote against the Government's Lords reform plans next week. Tory rebels, who have dubbed themselves 'The Sensibles', are calling on MPs to oppose the Government's proposal to allow just 10 days to debate plans to replace the Lords with a mostly elected second chamber from 2015.

2. GLOBAL TENSION RISES OVER SYRIA

The US has called for Russia and China to "get off the sidelines" and support the Syrian people against the Assad regime. Meanwhile, the UN's Kofi Annan urged world powers to stop their "destructive competition" on the Syrian issue. He also risked the wrath of the West when he insisted that Iran must play a part in resolving the crisis.

3. UK FLOOD THREAT CONTINUES

Flood warnings remain in place in many parts of the UK as heavy rain continues to cause disruption and misery. Some 53 flood warnings and 166 flood alerts are in place in England and Wales, with nine flood alerts in Scotland. Meanwhile the Met Office has dampened hopes of summery conditions to come, saying: “A protracted spell of hot, sunny weather looks very unlikely.”

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4. GOVERNMENT TO DELAY CARE REFORM

The Government is set to agree to the principle of capping the amount elderly and disabled people pay towards the cost of social care but will not make a decision on how to fund and implement the long-awaited reform for at least a year. The Times reports that the Treasury is likely to rule that funding will not be available for the plan until 2015.

5. ELECTED POLICE SCHEME IS "FLAWED"

Plans to elect police commissioners are “unbelievably flawed", according to Falklands veteran Simon Weston who withdrew his candidature this week. Weston tells The Times that "political pressure" and "bias" are dominating the process to such an extent that the process could increase public distrust in policing.

6. LIBYAN ELECTION UNDERWAY

Libyans are going to the polls in the country's first free election for more than 50 years. Voters will be choosing the members of a 200-seat temporary assembly that will have the power to appoint a cabinet and a prime minister. An electoral worker was killed yesterday when gunmen fired at a helicopter carrying electoral paperwork.

7. UK DEMOCRACY IN "TERMINAL DECLINE"

British democracy is in "long-term terminal decline" according to a study from research organisation Democratic Audit, reports The Guardian. The study concluded that growth in corporate power, unrepresentative MPs and disillusioned voters, mean that the people of Britain could soon be asking themselves "whether it's really representative democracy anymore?"

8. AFGHANISTAN MADE AMERICAN 'ALLY'

The United States has awarded Afghanistan the status of "major non-Nato ally". The designation, already enjoyed by countries including Australia and Israel, gives Afghanistan preferential access to American arms exports and defence co-operation. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the new status is a "powerful symbol of our commitment to Afghanistan's future".

9. CHURCH COULD BAN CLERGY FROM BNP

The Church of England is to vote today on a move that could ban clergy from being members of the British National Party. The church's national assembly, the General Synod, will vote on an amendment that would make it "unbecoming" or "inappropriate" conduct for clergy to join a party with a stance on race issues deemed incompatible with the church.

10. MURRAY REACHES WIMBLEDON FINAL

Andy Murray has become the first British man to reach the Wimbledon final for 74 years. He beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-4 3-6 7-5 on Centre Court yesterday, to set-up a showdown with 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer on Sunday. "I'm probably not expected to win the match, but it is one that, if I play well, I'm capable of winning," said Murray.