UK government sets out agenda in Queen Elizabeth II's speech
The new British coalition government set out its legislative agenda on Tuesday in a speech delivered by Queen Elizabeth II at the state opening of parliament.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II travels in a carriage to the Houses of Parliament in London for the official State Opening, on Tuesday. Queen Elizabeth II has opened Parliament nearly 60 times, but she will have an unfamiliar task Tuesday as she sets out the legislative program of a coalition government, the country's first since World War II.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Following are key quotes:
ON DEFICIT/ECONOMY:
"The first priority is to reduce the deficit and restore economic growth." "Action will be taken to accelerate the reduction of the structural budget deficit. A new Office for Budget Responsibility will provide confidence in the management of the public finances."
POLITICAL REFORMS:
"Measures will be brought forward to introduce fixed term Parliaments of five years." "A Bill will be introduced for a referendum on the Alternative Vote system for the House of Commons (lower house) and to create fewer and more equal sized constituencies."
IN PICTURES: Britain's royal family
EU RELATIONS
"My Government will introduce legislation to ensure that in future this Parliament and the British people have their say on any proposed transfer of powers to the European Union."
ON IMMIGRATION:
"My Government will limit the number of non-European Union economic migrants entering the United Kingdom, and end the detention of children for immigration purposes."
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