Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opens Parliament.

21 new Bills under a “One Nation” banner in the Queen’s speech were unveiled by David Cameron yesterday at the official opening of parliament. However former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith accused him of “abandoning controversial reforms” in a “helter skelter” pursuit to remain in the EU.  Critics may say anyway that this fight over Brexit is a manufactured media circus and there is absolutely no possibility of the UK ever leaving the EU.

The tightest ever security was in force at the splendid pageantry always on show each year as the Queen comes and Black Rod raps on the door to attend proceedings. Even today the security is still in place making traffic passage through the area impossible, and interfering with Royal Mail collections.

The official EU referendum is on June 23.  The Queen’s speech underlined that either way Britain’s Independence will be maintained – it was written in 10 Downing Street.  She declared, “My ministers will uphold the sovereignty of Parliament and the primacy of the House of Commons.”

David Cameron wants to help the government build a million more homes across the country by reforming planning and stressed security would come first.  For London:-  a “devolution of power” to local areas, which would embrace control over business rates and faster planning.  Prisons and the care system were discussed with emphasis placed on the notion that “children are not doomed to a life in poverty”.

Other policy proposals got criticism that they would end free speech and moves to scrap the “Human Rights Act” were also regarded as very extreme.  Another part of the speech emphasised that the UK’s Trident deterrent system would be renewed.

Her Majesty looked resplendent throughout and used the lift for the first time to go to her seat.  She was the perfect diplomat and observed her breathtaking protocol at all times.

Penny Nair Price