All-Tory Queen's Speech as parliament formally opens

Government to set out legislative programme, but plan to scrap Human Rights Act reportedly delayed


By Emilio Casalicchio

27 May 2015

The first all-Conservative Queen's Speech since 1996 is set to be announced today.

In a ceremony in Westminster, the Queen will lead a procession to parliament for its formal opening before setting out the coming Conservative agenda.

A referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union; a linking of the tax threshold to the minimum wage for those working 30 hours or less; and a doubling of the free childcare allowance for three and four-year-olds are expected to feature in the announcement.


Related content

What does the 2015 Conservative manifesto mean for the civil service?
New minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock sets out civil service reform vision
Peter Riddell: what the civil service can expect from the new government


David Cameron said the speech would set out a "clear vision for what our country can be", and that he would “not waste a single moment” in implementing the Tory manifesto promises.

It has been reported that the prime minister will, however, hold back on plans to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.

The Conservatives had been pressing ahead with the policy outlined in their manifesto despite calls from legal campaigners against the move, which would give British courts, rather than Strasbourg, the final say on human rights matters.

But in a bid to avoid confrontation with his backbenchers and the judiciary, Cameron has apparently decided the British Bill of Rights will be replaced in today's Queen's Speech by a consultation on the matter.

According to the Times, a government source said it was more important to get the bill right rather than rush it, and added it would be “odd if we did not consult widely”.

Read the most recent articles written by Emilio Casalicchio - Labour ends Brexit compromise talks with government

Tags

Parliament
Share this page