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MPs debate the 2017 Queen's Speech

29 June 2017

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MPs debated the motion on the Queens Speech debate over five sitting days, which sets out the Government's legislative programme for the next two years. MPs voted 323 to 309 to approve the motion.

Thursday 29 June: Economy and Jobs

Wednesday 28 June: Health, Social Care and Security

Tuesday 27 June: Education and Local Services

Monday 26 June: Brexit and Foreign Affairs

Thursday 22 June: Housing and Social Security

Debate on the Address

At State Opening on Wednesday 21 June 2017 at 11.30am Her Majesty the Queen delivered the Speech outlining the Government's legislative programme for this parliamentary session.

The House of Commons debated the contents of the Speech for six sitting days, finishing on Thursday 29 June. Amendments proposed to the Address in response to the Speech were considered on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June.

The first day of the Debate on the Address is general in tone. The remaining five days are on specific topics.

House of Commons subjects for debate

The Debate on the Address will focus on the following subjects over the course of five sitting days:

  • Thursday 22 June: Housing and Social Security
  • Monday 26 June: Brexit and Foreign Affairs
  • Tuesday 27 June: Education and Social Services
  • Wednesday 28 June: Health, Social care and Security
  • Thursday 29 June: Economy and Jobs

Queen's Speech 2017 proposer and seconder

The task of proposing and seconding the motion is regarded as an honour and is given to two government backbench MPs.

They are normally a contrasting pair with very different constituencies, one a relatively new MP and the other a long-serving MP. By convention, their speeches are not contentious and contain both humour and flattering references to their constituencies.

This year, Rt Hon Richard Benyon MP was the proposer and Kwasi Kwarteng MP the seconder.

The Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, responded on behalf of the Opposition. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, replied on behalf of the Government. They were followed by the SNP Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford, and then a general debate involving all MPs.

Related information

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