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The Queen’s Speech to parliament 2005 |
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| 17th
May 2005 |
 BBC
analysis |
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Guardian
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My lords and
members of the House of Commons, my government will continue to pursue
economic policies which entrench stability and promote long-term growth
and prosperity.
To this end, my government will continue to secure low inflation and sound
public finances.
My government will build on its programme of reform and accelerate modernisation
of the public services to promote opportunity and fairness.
My government will bring forward legislation in the key areas of public service
delivery: education; health; welfare; and crime.
Education remains my government's main priority. My government will further
reform the education system to improve quality and choice in the provision of
schooling, and build on the progress already made to improve educational standards
for all.
Legislation will be brought forward to offer greater support for working families
by extending maternity benefits and improving the provision of child care.
My government will continue to reform the National Health Service in a way
that maintains its founding principles.
Measures will be brought forward to introduce more choice and diversity in
healthcare provision and to continue to improve the quality of health services
and hospital hygiene.
Legislation to restrict smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces will
also be introduced.
A bill will be brought forward to support patients who wish to seek redress
should they experience problems with their healthcare.
My government will continue its reform of the welfare state, in order to reduce
poverty further, offer greater equality, and match rights with responsibilities.
My government will introduce legislation to reform support for housing costs.
A bill will be introduced to establish benefits which will facilitate a return
to employment, while offering long-term support for those unable to work.
My government will begin long-term reform to provide sustainable income for
those in retirement.
A bill will be introduced to improve protection of consumers by bringing home
reversion plans within the scope of the Financial Services Authority.
My government is committed to creating safe and secure communities, and fostering
a culture of respect.
Legislation will be taken forward to introduce an identity cards scheme.
A bill will be introduced to give police and local communities new powers to
tackle knives, guns and alcohol-related violence.
Further legislation will be introduced to tighten the immigration and asylum
system in a way that is fair, flexible, and in the economic interests of the
country.
Proposals will be brought forward to continue the fight against terrorism in
the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
My government will bring forward legislation to reduce re-offending by improving
the management of offenders.
Legislation will be introduced to reform the criminal defence service, making
better use of legal aid resources.
My government believes that the welfare of the child is paramount. A bill will
be introduced to establish a barring and vetting scheme, and other measures
to provide better protection for children and vulnerable adults.
Legislation will be introduced to safeguard the welfare of children in circumstances
of parental separation and to improve the process of inter-country adoption.
My government will continue with legislation to provide a new framework for
the provision of compulsory treatment of those with mental disorders.
Legislation will be introduced to modernise charity law, to develop a vibrant,
diverse and independent charitable sector.
My government will take forward proposals to introduce an offence of corporate
manslaughter.
My government will bring forward measures to tackle those who incite religious
hatred.
Legislation will be introduced to combat discrimination and to establish the
Commission for Equality and Human Rights.
My government is committed to achieving sustainable development and supporting
rural services.
Legislation will be brought forward to ensure the better management and protection
of the natural environment and to provide support for rural communities.
A bill to modernise the management of common land will be introduced.
Legislation will be brought forward to help reduce casualties on the roads.
My government is committed to promoting efficiency, productivity and value
for money.
Legislation will be introduced to streamline regulatory structures and make
it simpler to remove outdated or unnecessary legislation.
Consumer credit law will be updated to provide greater protection for consumers
and to create a fairer, more competitive credit market.
Company law will be reformed to encourage greater levels of investment and
enterprise.
Members of the House of Commons, estimates for the public services will be
laid before you.
My lords and members of the House of Commons, my government will continue to
work closely with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, and will
work to bring about the conditions necessary for the restoration of political
institutions in Northern Ireland.
Legislation will be brought forward to encourage greater voter participation
in elections while introducing further measures to combat fraud and increase
security.
Legislation will also be introduced to reform the National Assembly for Wales.
My government will bring forward proposals to continue the reform of the House
of Lords.
If London is selected to host the 2012 Olympic Games, legislation will be introduced
as soon as possible to establish the necessary powers to ensure the delivery
of the Games, and that the requirements of the International Olympic Committee
are met.
My government will establish a single system of service law for the Armed Forces.
My government will bring forward a Bill to give effect to the constitutional
treaty for the European Union, subject to a referendum.
Legislation will be introduced to ratify the treaty of accession of Romania
and Bulgaria to the European Union.
Other measures will be laid before you.
My government will continue to play its full part in international affairs.
The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our visit to Canada later today
and to our state visit to Malta in November which precedes the Commonwealth
heads of government meeting.
We look forward to our visit to Australia in March next year for the opening
of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne followed by our state visit to Singapore.
We also look forward to receiving their majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja
of Norway.
The United Kingdom will take over the Presidency of the European Union in July,
and my government will work to build an increasingly prosperous and secure Europe.
My government will use its presidency of the G8 to secure progress in tackling
poverty in Africa and climate change.
My government will continue to push for a resolution of the conflict in Darfur.
My government will continue to work to prevent terrorism and the proliferation
of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and to combat drug smuggling and
international crime.
My government will work to strengthen commitment to the continued effectiveness
of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and continue to contribute to a modern
and representative United Nations.
My government will work to secure a successful outcome from the United Nations
Millennium Review Summit and the Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation
in Hong Kong in December.
My government will support the Iraq Transitional Government and Transitional
National Assembly as they write a constitution and prepare for future elections.
My government will continue to assist the government of Afghanistan including
in its counter-narcotics efforts, and to support better standards of governance
throughout the world.
Peace in the Middle East will remain one of my government's highest priorities.
My government will work to deepen and develop the strong partnership between
Europe and the United States in order to meet these objectives.
My lords and members of the House of Commons: I pray that the blessing of Almighty
God may rest upon your counsels.
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