MPs debate the Queen's Speech
20 December 2019
With the State Opening having signalled the start of a new Parliamentary session, MPs are back in the chamber to debate the proposals outlined within this year's Queen's Speech.
On Thursday 19 December, the Queen laid out the Government's proposals for the new Parliamentary session in the Queen's Speech. The Speech laid out the Government's first priority of delivering Brexit on 31 January. The Speech also set out proposals to invest in and support public services, and strengthening the criminal justice system, ensuring it keeps people safe.
Debate on the Address: First day of debate on the Queen's Speech
Addressing the proposals outlined in the Queen's Speech, the Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn said:
"The Queen's Speech says nothing whatsoever about the Health and Social Care Act and the privatisation that it's brought. Not so long ago Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister stood on the steps of Downing Street and announced he has a plan to solve the social care crisis. So where is it? It wasn't in his party's manifesto, and all we have today are empty words about bringing forward proposals. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised, all we had in the last Queen's Speech were empty words about bringing forward proposals. And in the Queen's Speech before that, what do we get from the Conservatives? empty words about bringing forward the proposals."
Responding on behalf of the Government, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said:
"Mr Speaker this is the moment to repay the trust of those who sent us here by delivering on the people's priorities with the most radical Queen's Speech for a generation."
"This one-Nation government will enshrine in law record funding for our NHS, take back control of our borders with a wholly new immigration system, toughen our criminal justice system with longer sentences for the most dangerous offenders, double investment in basic science research and protect our environment with a bill so ambitious and so vast that there is no environmentally friendly way of printing it of."
What is the Queen's Speech?
The Queen's Speech is the speech that the Queen reads out in the Lords Chamber on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament.
It sets out the programme of legislation that the Government intend to pursue in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
What happens if Parliament agrees on the Queen's Speech?
After several days of debate, MPs will vote on the Queen's Speech. If agreed to business will continue as usual.