Queen puts security at heart of speech
Wednesday, 15 Nov 2006 19:19
Today's speech is widely anticipated to be the last under Tony Blair's administration
The Queen has today focused on home security and law and order in her speech to officially open parliament.
In a government speech that was heavily trailed, the Queen announced 25 bills and four draft bills, many of which were concerned with security and crime, although there was no mention of a specific new terrorism bill.
She also introduced legislation on climate change, reform of pension measures and child support in the tenth last such speech under prime minister Tony Blair.
Speaking with her husband Prince Philip at her side in the upper house, Queen Elizabeth II said: "My government will pursue policies aimed at meeting the challenges that face the UK today.
"At the heart of the programme will be further action to provide strong, secure and stable communities and to address the threat of terrorism
"My government will put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, support the police and all those responsible for public safety and proceed with the development of the ID card system."
She then went on to confirm that the "next stage of reform" of criminal justice will take place in the next year, with police to be given more powers and the immigration service to be strengthened.
There will also be changes to the justice administration "by reforming the tribunal system, the qualifications for judicial appointment and the enforcement of judgments".
On climate change, a bill will be published as part of the government's policy "to protect the environment, consistent with the need to secure long-term energy supplies".
In relation to the welfare system, child support and pensions will be the focus of new bills, as will further education and healthcare of mental illness sufferers.
The Queen also talked about international affairs and pledged that her government would work to strengthen the European Union and Nato, while seeking to resolve issues in Iraq, Iran and North Korea.
The speech itself was held with traditional pomp and ceremony as MPs gathered in the commons and peers amassed across the hallway in the House of Lords before the Queen's arrival.
Black Rod, the Queen's messenger, had the door to the House of Commons ceremonially slammed shut on him – underlining parliament's right to deny the royal messenger.
But after knocking and being allowed in, the speaker led MPs, including Mr Blair and his Conservative counterpart David Cameron, who was facing his first as leader of the opposition, to the upper house.
The bills the Queen mentioned will all be debated by MPs over the course of the next five days.