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| Cameron and Clegg unveil coalition's 'bold' finale | Cameron and Clegg unveil coalition's 'bold' finale |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron and Nick Clegg have sought to present a united front as they set out their plans for the coalition's final year in power. | David Cameron and Nick Clegg have sought to present a united front as they set out their plans for the coalition's final year in power. |
| Pensions took centre stage in an 11 bill programme, with changes to annuities and workplace schemes. | Pensions took centre stage in an 11 bill programme, with changes to annuities and workplace schemes. |
| Voters will also get limited powers to boot out misbehaving MPs and fracking firms will get new drilling rights. | Voters will also get limited powers to boot out misbehaving MPs and fracking firms will get new drilling rights. |
| Labour sources said it was "staggering" that the NHS and immigration were not mentioned in the Queen's Speech. | Labour sources said it was "staggering" that the NHS and immigration were not mentioned in the Queen's Speech. |
| Among the measures announced were: | Among the measures announced were: |
| The Queen presided over the state opening of Parliament for the 63rd time, amid the traditional pomp and ceremony. | The Queen presided over the state opening of Parliament for the 63rd time, amid the traditional pomp and ceremony. |
| "My government's legislative programme will continue to deliver on its long-term plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society," she said in a speech written for her by ministers. | "My government's legislative programme will continue to deliver on its long-term plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society," she said in a speech written for her by ministers. |
| "To strengthen the economy and provide stability and security, my ministers will continue to reduce the country's deficit, helping to ensure that mortgage and interest rates remain low." | "To strengthen the economy and provide stability and security, my ministers will continue to reduce the country's deficit, helping to ensure that mortgage and interest rates remain low." |
| 'Unashamedly pro-work' | 'Unashamedly pro-work' |
| The planned legislation will be debated by MPs in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon. | The planned legislation will be debated by MPs in the Commons on Wednesday afternoon. |
| Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg have hit back at Labour's claims that the coalition has run out of steam and that the months leading up to next May's general election will be dominated by Conservative and Lib Dem wrangling as the two parties seek to differentiate themselves in the minds of voters. | Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg have hit back at Labour's claims that the coalition has run out of steam and that the months leading up to next May's general election will be dominated by Conservative and Lib Dem wrangling as the two parties seek to differentiate themselves in the minds of voters. |
| In a joint statement issued with the Queen's Speech, the prime minister and his deputy said the coalition was "still taking bold steps" to "take Britain forward to a brighter future". | In a joint statement issued with the Queen's Speech, the prime minister and his deputy said the coalition was "still taking bold steps" to "take Britain forward to a brighter future". |
| "We may be two parties, with two different philosophies but we understand one thing," they added. | "We may be two parties, with two different philosophies but we understand one thing," they added. |
| "Countries rise when their people rise. So this Queen's Speech is unashamedly pro-work, pro-business and pro-aspiration." | "Countries rise when their people rise. So this Queen's Speech is unashamedly pro-work, pro-business and pro-aspiration." |
| Speculation ahead of the Speech that it could include a fresh crackdown on immigration, in the wake of UKIP's success in the European and local elections, proved groundless. | |
| But it did include a renewed commitment to the Help to Buy scheme, following criticism from the European Commission and others that it is fuelling an unsustainable housing boom. The Speech also repeated David Cameron's commitment to promote reform of the European Union "including a stronger role for member states and national parliaments". | |
| Plans to support the development of shale gas by the "fracking" process are among the most controversial measures included in the Speech. | Plans to support the development of shale gas by the "fracking" process are among the most controversial measures included in the Speech. |
| BBC experts' views | BBC experts' views |
| "When Her Majesty reads out what is, in effect, Parliament's "to do list" she's expected to quote her government's oft repeated promise to continue with its "long-term plan" - which may well produce a groan or two from some opposition MPs and peers. David Cameron and Nick Clegg are desperate to answer the charge that they have run out of ideas which their two parties can sign up to and are simply running down the clock until polling day." Read Nick Robinson's full preview. | "When Her Majesty reads out what is, in effect, Parliament's "to do list" she's expected to quote her government's oft repeated promise to continue with its "long-term plan" - which may well produce a groan or two from some opposition MPs and peers. David Cameron and Nick Clegg are desperate to answer the charge that they have run out of ideas which their two parties can sign up to and are simply running down the clock until polling day." Read Nick Robinson's full preview. |
| "As you watch the state opening of parliament, remember it is one of the strongest ceremonial demonstrations of our liberty that we have. Democracy is not just the freedom to vote out a government we dislike; it is also the freedom not to be ruled by an autocratic monarch chosen by God. It is what our ancestors fought over in the civil war. And it is a right that we are reminded of every year." James Landale on how the Queen's Speech show us who isn't boss. | "As you watch the state opening of parliament, remember it is one of the strongest ceremonial demonstrations of our liberty that we have. Democracy is not just the freedom to vote out a government we dislike; it is also the freedom not to be ruled by an autocratic monarch chosen by God. It is what our ancestors fought over in the civil war. And it is a right that we are reminded of every year." James Landale on how the Queen's Speech show us who isn't boss. |
| Greenpeace activists, who say the Infrastructure Bill will clear the way for fracking firms to drill under people's land and property without their permission, staged a protest at David Cameron's Oxfordshire home. | Greenpeace activists, who say the Infrastructure Bill will clear the way for fracking firms to drill under people's land and property without their permission, staged a protest at David Cameron's Oxfordshire home. |
| The activists erected security fencing around the prime minister's cottage in the Cotswold hamlet of Dean and put up a sign saying: "We apologise for any inconvenience we may cause while we frack under your home". | The activists erected security fencing around the prime minister's cottage in the Cotswold hamlet of Dean and put up a sign saying: "We apologise for any inconvenience we may cause while we frack under your home". |
| Plans to introduce a power of recall for misbehaving MPs could also spark controversy. The idea was promised in the 2010 coalition agreement but was thought to have been dropped after rows between senior Conservative and Lib Dem ministers. | Plans to introduce a power of recall for misbehaving MPs could also spark controversy. The idea was promised in the 2010 coalition agreement but was thought to have been dropped after rows between senior Conservative and Lib Dem ministers. |
| Under the proposed legislation, a recall will only be triggered if MPs are given jail sentences of less than 12 months or if the House of Commons resolves that they have engaged in "serious wrongdoing". Voters would then have to collect the signatures of 10% of constituents to force a by-election. | Under the proposed legislation, a recall will only be triggered if MPs are given jail sentences of less than 12 months or if the House of Commons resolves that they have engaged in "serious wrongdoing". Voters would then have to collect the signatures of 10% of constituents to force a by-election. |
| This is unlikely to satisfy campaigners such as Tory backbencher Zac Goldsmith, who have argued that it should be easier for constituents to get rid of errant MPs. | This is unlikely to satisfy campaigners such as Tory backbencher Zac Goldsmith, who have argued that it should be easier for constituents to get rid of errant MPs. |
| The state opening of Parliament, one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar, used to take place in the autumn but was moved to the early summer by the coalition government. | The state opening of Parliament, one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar, used to take place in the autumn but was moved to the early summer by the coalition government. |
| With Parliament taking a six-week summer recess from July and rising for a further five weeks for the party conference season in September, parliamentary time available to agree new legislation will be limited. | With Parliament taking a six-week summer recess from July and rising for a further five weeks for the party conference season in September, parliamentary time available to agree new legislation will be limited. |
| In addition, six bills - including one authorising the building of a new high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands - are being carried over from the last session. | In addition, six bills - including one authorising the building of a new high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands - are being carried over from the last session. |
| There are also three draft bills, setting out legislation to improve compensation for people whose property has been damaged in riots, protect charities from abuse and improve the governance of national parks in England. | There are also three draft bills, setting out legislation to improve compensation for people whose property has been damaged in riots, protect charities from abuse and improve the governance of national parks in England. |