For Anyone who takes an interest in politics

[Vanhalen 0]

For anyone who takes an interest in politics, if you click on http://news.bbc.co.uk/ and then Live Video on the Queens Speech, you can see the Queen opening parliament, which has been the same for over 200 years, its a fascinating ceremony, and worth checking out, especially if you havent seen it before

[Vanhalen 0]

Its taking place now btw, so if you click on this thread in a few hours time, you have missed it

[The Czech Republic 0]

Aww. I love Parliament's old procedures and traditions.

 

Parliament > Congress, by like a million.

[Vanhalen 0]

LOL Canada got mentioned for like 2 seconds

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

[Vanhalen 0]

For anyone who is curious at the upcoming legislation for the year, heres the main points

 

 

Tony Blair has put the fight against crime and terror at the heart of his government's programme in the run up to the next general election.

Home Office Bills - including national ID cards and moves to combat terrorism, drugs and anti-social behaviour - dominated Tuesday's Queen's Speech.

 

The Tories said Labour was "all talk" and had the "wrong priorities".

 

The Liberal Democrats accused ministers of creating a "climate of fear," to gain advantage at the ballot box.

 

'Dysfunctional communities'

 

But Home Secretary David Blunkett denied the government was "scaremongering," saying it had "played down" the terrorist threat by emphasising "alert over alarm".

 

And he said tackling anti-social behaviour was the first step to making people feel more secure in their communities and the wider world.

 

"If you neglect the way in which you deal with the little things, they grow rapidly into the dysfunctional communities which too many people in this country have to live with," he told BBC News.

 

The Queen's Speech sets out the government's priorities for the coming parliamentary session.

 

KEY MEASURES

ID cards

Creating Serious Organised Crime Agency

Drug tests for minor offenders

Offering schools more freedom

EU constitution referendum rules

 

But with a general election expected in May many of the 32 Bills mentioned by the Queen - more than in the two previous years - are not likely to become law.

 

The speech contained six separate Home Office Bills, with a further five, from other departments, including law and order elements.

 

Plans include the introduction of national identity cards, with personal data on a microchip, although Mr Blunkett said Parliament would not make a final decision on the issue until "around 2010 or 2012".

 

There was also a bill to create the new Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), to hunt major drug smugglers, people traffickers and paedophiles.

 

The speech also signalled a new focus on drug abuse including compulsory drug testing for people arrested for some crimes, and the creation of a new offence of incitement to religious hatred.

 

And there will be new measures to clamp down on animal rights extremists.

 

On anti-social behaviour. the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill will give local authorities more powers - including levying on-the-spot fines - to deal with graffiti, fly-tipping, abandoned cars and other low level nuisance.

 

Improved safety

 

The speech did not set out specific proposals to combat terrorism, but the Counter Terrorism Bill is likely to include controversial measures such as no-jury trials for terrorist cases and the use of phone-tap evidence in court.

 

OTHER KEY MEASURES

Consumer Credit Bill - New rights for borrowers to contest unfair credit terms

Constitutional Reform Bill - creation of a supreme court, scrapping post of Lord Chancellor

Charities Bill - cutting red tape

Road Safety Bill - tougher penalties for drink drivers and dangerous drivers

Animal Welfare Bill - moves to protect circus animals and pets

Railways Bill - scrapping the strategic rail authority

Corporate manslaughter laws

 

Speaking ahead of the Speech, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said the government wanted to strike a balance between combating terrorism effectively and maintaining civil liberties.

 

Mr Prescott told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the public was ready to accept restrictions on individual freedom for the sake of improved safety.

 

But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten accused the government of creating a "climate of fear" over terrorism and crime in the hope of reaping political advantage in the election.

 

The Queen also outlined laws setting out the rules for a referendum on the EU constitution, currently expected in spring 2006.

 

Among the measures not included in the Queen's Speech were Lords reform and moves to ban smoking in restaurants and pubs that serve food, which will not be introduced until after the next election.

 

The Tories have already announced their alternative proposals to try to cut taxes while tackling crime, immigration, school discipline and hospital hygiene.

 

The Liberal Democrat version of the Queen's Speech is topped with scrapping university tuition fees and replacing the council tax with a local income tax.

 

The party would also modernise policing, boost pensions for over-75s and introduce free personal care for the elderly.