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Long and short of it: Queen's speeches compared Long and short of it: Queen's speeches compared
(35 minutes later)
The Queen’s speech featured 25 bills plus one draft bill, more than double the number of last year’s speech, which had the fewest in at least 20 years. This year’s was the most packed Queen’s speech since 2007.The Queen’s speech featured 25 bills plus one draft bill, more than double the number of last year’s speech, which had the fewest in at least 20 years. This year’s was the most packed Queen’s speech since 2007.
We’ve had a look at two key metrics in Queen’s speeches since 1994. The first is how many bills each speech has introduced, taken from contemporary newspaper cuttings. Counts may vary, and the subsequent parliamentary session may have had more or fewer bills introduced as plans changed, bills were stymied and backbenchers were placated.We’ve had a look at two key metrics in Queen’s speeches since 1994. The first is how many bills each speech has introduced, taken from contemporary newspaper cuttings. Counts may vary, and the subsequent parliamentary session may have had more or fewer bills introduced as plans changed, bills were stymied and backbenchers were placated.
This year’s speech nearly matched the 26 bills of the first year of Labour’s first term, and exceeded the 24 of its second.This year’s speech nearly matched the 26 bills of the first year of Labour’s first term, and exceeded the 24 of its second.
The peak – by quite some margin – came in the wake of the 2005 election, as the third-term Labour government introduced 45 bills in a single session – in part, no doubt, due to Tony Blair’s desire to get through what remained of his agenda before he became a lame duck.The peak – by quite some margin – came in the wake of the 2005 election, as the third-term Labour government introduced 45 bills in a single session – in part, no doubt, due to Tony Blair’s desire to get through what remained of his agenda before he became a lame duck.
The second metric is the length (ie word count) of the speeches:The second metric is the length (ie word count) of the speeches:
In the first years of the New Labour administration the address the Queen was expected to give grew markedly longer – and the trend didn’t pass unnoticed at the time.In the first years of the New Labour administration the address the Queen was expected to give grew markedly longer – and the trend didn’t pass unnoticed at the time.
Speaking in the House of Lords in 2000, Lord Waddington raised his concern that the Queen’s speech had become “much longer in the past three years and the political tone more strident”, noting that when he and his “noble friends on this side of the House” were involved in deciding the content, the speech would contain around 1,100 words.Speaking in the House of Lords in 2000, Lord Waddington raised his concern that the Queen’s speech had become “much longer in the past three years and the political tone more strident”, noting that when he and his “noble friends on this side of the House” were involved in deciding the content, the speech would contain around 1,100 words.
He also pointed out:He also pointed out:
It may surprise some members of your lordships’ House to learn that some of the longer speeches were not followed by a larger number of bills. Indeed, during the years of the Labour government there has been no relationship between the length of the speeches and the number of bills introduced subsequently. It may surprise some members of your lordships’ house to learn that some of the longer speeches were not followed by a larger number of bills. Indeed, during the years of the Labour government there has been no relationship between the length of the speeches and the number of bills introduced subsequently.
Since that point, the burden on Her Majesty has eased. Last year’s speech was the first since 2005 to have totalled more than 1,000 words, and although 2015’s speech also tipped over 1,000 words, it was within a range that Lord Waddington would have been happy with.Since that point, the burden on Her Majesty has eased. Last year’s speech was the first since 2005 to have totalled more than 1,000 words, and although 2015’s speech also tipped over 1,000 words, it was within a range that Lord Waddington would have been happy with.