Lords debates Queen's Speech

House of Lords debate

Following the Queen's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament, the House of Lords returned to work to debate a motion of formal thanks to the Queen. The Lords then started a five-day debate on the different subject areas of the speech, from Wednesday 12 May to Wednesday 19 May. 

Research and resources

Read the House of Lords Library briefings on the different subject areas for each day of the debate.

Tuesday 11 May: formal thanks to the Queen

The House of Lords agreed a Humble Address to the Queen. The motion was put forward by Lords Bates (Conservative) and seconded by Baroness Sanderson of Welton.

The debate was the first sitting of the House of Lords presided over by the new Lord Speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith. 

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Day one: Wednesday 12 May

Members debated the economy, business, health and education.

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Baroness Blake of Leeds (Labour) and Lord Lebedev (Crossbench) made their maiden speeches.

The Bishop of Portsmouth made his valedictory speech, the final speech by a retiring member.

Day two: Thursday 13 May

Members from across the UK debated the constitution and the Union. 

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Conservative) and Baroness Merron (Labour) made their maiden speeches.

Day three: Monday 17 May

Members debated communities, welfare, transport and the environment.

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Lord Coaker (Labour) and Lord Morse (Crossbench) made their maiden speeches.

Day four: Tuesday 18 May

Members debated home affairs, justice and culture.

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Baroness Fullbrook (Conservative) made her maiden speech in the House.

Day five: Wednesday 19 May

Members debated foreign affairs and defence.

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Lord Udny-Lister (Conservative) made his maiden speech.

After the debate

Following the debate, bills (draft laws) are introduced and members start work shaping laws, holding the government to account and investigating public policy.

Queen's Speech

The Queen's Speech is written by the government. It sets out the government's legislative agenda for the new parliamentary session. 

The Queen delivered the speech in the House of Lords chamber at the State Opening of Parliament on Tuesday 11 May.

Watch the Queen's Speech on Parliament TV or read the transcript in House of Lords Hansard.

View the album of of images from the day on House of Lords Flickr.

Image: Copyright House of Lords 2021 / Photography by Roger Harris