<![CDATA[The Queen has delivered her yearly legislative speech at the State Opening of Parliament. The speech is the way in which the government sets out their legislative agenda for the coming year.
Pictures today of the State Opening of Parliament via @BritishMonarchy pic.twitter.com/B7VV7setLb
— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) June 4, 2014
This year’s 10 minute speech was full of drama as it was
announced that plans would be brought in to support economic
growth, legislations to end slavery.
The introduction to the speech featured heavily on the
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats supporting the economy’s growth
and creating a fairer society.
This was the final State Opening of Parliament to happen before the
next general election, meaning that economic policies and
investment featured heavily on the text. Among the details
announced were pension reforms, support for fracking and increasing
the UK’s housing supply.
The coalition government also intends new legislation against
modern slavery. In the speech, The Queen said “a bill will be
introduced to strengthen the powers to prevent modern slavery and
human trafficking, whilst improving support for victims of such
crimes.”
For the euro-sceptics, there was some mention of the European Union
and that the Government should “promote reform in the European
Union, including a stronger role for member states and national
parliaments.”
Other measures outlined were a new state funded childcare subsidy,
a heroism legislation (where people are rewarded for good deeds),
and plans to charge 5p for plastic carrier bags in England. Her
Majesty ended the speech with “My Lords and Members of the
House of Commons. I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest
upon your counsels”
There was added drama during the speech
when a page-boy fainted during the speech; he is now said to be fine.
Dennis Skinner, the MP for Bolsover also made his traditional quip
announcing “coalitions last stand” when Black Rod summoned the
House of Commons to the House of Lords.
You can read events as they happened by
clicking here to view Royal Central’s archive of the day.
Featured photo credit: UK Parliament via photopin
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