Transcripts For BBCNEWS The State Opening Of Parliament 20240713

A very good morning from inside the palace of westminster, where the queen will arrive in a short while to open a new session of parliament. But this is no routine event yes, well be able to enjoy all the usual colour and pagea ntry of the state opening, but it takes place at a time of great political and constitutional uncertainty where even the role of the crown in our National Affairs is being questioned. We were last here two years ago when theresa may was Prime Minister since when the Political Landscape has been turned upside down by the turbulent Brexit Process. Its Boris Johnsons first queens speech as Prime Minister he has no majority in the house of commons so there will inevitably be questions about his ability to deliver the pledges in the queens speech. We could indeed be back again before christmas. But lets deal with todays events first im joined by our Political Editor, Laura Kuenssberg. Good money, laura. Good morning, hew. It would be an understatement to say despite all the colour and pageantry, the to say despite all the colour and pagea ntry, the usual trappings to say despite all the colour and pageantry, the usual trappings that we enjoy and admire on this day, despite all of that this is a highly unusual set of circumstances. Absolutely. We will have the same fabulous ceremony, the diamonds, the velvet, the carriage. But from a political point of view, the significance of today is much smaller than it normally is. That is not just because smaller than it normally is. That is notjust because as you suggest the Prime Minister doesnt have a majority, so he cannot for one second to be sure he will be able to do any of the things we will hear the queen announced today. But also because even the pump and ceremonial here is overshadowed by a much more humdrum set of meetings taken place 1000 miles or so away in brussels, where at this moment in time, big, Big Questions about whether or not the uk will be able to leave the eu this month with or without a deal being hammered out. And of course what happens here right now will be dictated by the outcome of those talks. Just to underline, we are in a situation where proposed legislation will be read by the queen. There is absolutely no guarantee any of that can be delivered and we are still waiting for the outcome of the biggest political question of our time. Absolutely right. That is what makes today a slightly strange dip into a parallel universe. What is important about what we will hear today is, because of the uncertainty, it is likely that sooner or later, probably sooner, we will tip into an election campaign. And therefore what we hear today from the queen reading out what Boris Johnson what we hear today from the queen reading out what borisjohnson would to do, is probably a peek at what will be in the conservative ma nifesto will be in the conservative manifesto when we get into a general election. It is not that today doesnt matter. Far from election. It is not that today doesnt matter. Farfrom it. But it is the case that what the queen announces today is not by any means certain to happen. We will talk in a little while, laura. Thank you very much. Laura will be with us throughout the morning. The political circumstances, as we we re the political circumstances, as we were saying, around the state opening are unusual, but they are highly significant. There is one unchanging element. The one constant in this event and that is the presence of her majesty the queen. Along with all the grand ceremonial display which is such a special feature of this day. Move it to the left in file. And out. It was an early start for the yeomen of the guard the oldest British Military corps still in existence, founded by henry tudor at the battle of bosworth in 11185 as they performed their ceremonial search of the cellars of westminster. They started in the Princes Chamber next to the house of lords directly above the cellars where guy fawkes was caught red handed in 1605. That was the scene a little earlier with the yeomen of the guard. Lets look at another part of the palace. Outside. A bit of a wet day at westminster. Everything is ready at the sovereigns entrance, at the opposite end of the palace of westminster to the elizabeth tower, which houses big ben. This is where the queen will arrive in just over an hours time. The magnificent scene inside the house of lords. The Great Chamber that we admired for its architectural and historic beauty. Peers are gathering there. There are currently 775 members, including 92 hereditary peers. Also including the former bbc boss and the barrister who played such a prominent role in the Supreme Court hearing just a few weeks ago on the suspension of parliament. Lots of oui suspension of parliament. Lots of our distinguished National Figures are taking their place on the red benches today. They include 92 hereditary peers, most of the hereditary peers, most of the hereditary peers, most of the hereditary peers were removed in 1999. Everyone is wearing their ceremonial robes today. It is a requirement on the day of the state opening. And the queen will read the speech, which has been written by the government, from the magnificent throne of the house of lords. Pugins a great masterpiece in gilded wood and the gilded canopy above it. Just look at the pair of thrones because it is an interesting feature if we look at the arm rests. The one on the left you will see its slightly higher than the one on the right. Because the manics throne is the superior throne, if you like, the superior throne, if you like, the consort thrown is on the right hand side out the monarch the monarchs throne. Today the throne on the right will be occupied by the prince of wales. On the right hand side of the chair of state the duchess of cornwall who has been accompanying to the state opening since 2013. Rather tellingly we have a little table on the left hand side because that will be where the imperial state crown will be placed or put on display. The queen will not be wearing the crown today. It will be placed on display on the table. That is the scene and the house of lords are starting to fill up because, as you can imagine, there is lots of competition for places today in the house of lords. Just take a little pause there because with me in the studio i have a combined wealth of parliamentary experience im pleased to say. I will not count the years of experience because i am going to be kind about that. But impressed by the combined years of Dame Margaret beckett, the senior labour mp and former foreign secretary, and the lord speaker who will be a prominent figure in todays events. Norman fowler, lord fowler, of course, and formerly conservative Party Chairman and conservative cabinet minister. Good to have you here, thank you. We heard from laurette, lord fowler, that these are highly unusual circumstances we heard from laura stop from you advantage of many yea rs stop from you advantage of many years in this palace, what is your ta ke years in this palace, what is your take on how unusual these circumstances are . They are unusual, obviously. The prorogation which always comes before the queens speech, that showed all that in technicolor we have the queens speech. I am impartial, but in politics everyone is saying there is going to be an election very soon, so to have a queens speech now and the prospect of another election around the corner and another queens speech is very unusual indeed. I dont know anything quite like that. Dame margaret, given your years at westminster, how would you place todays events in context . It is unique because, as lord fowler quite rightly says, we all know that certainly the government wants an election as soon as possible. In fa ct, election as soon as possible. In fact, i think probably if he thought he could get an election well before the end of october, that is exactly what the Prime Minister would want. Everybody knows this is a sham queens speech. It is in effect. Everybody knows this is a sham queens speech. It is in effect strong thing to say. Yes, but this is the governments queens speech, this is supposed to be the Governments Legislative Programme and we all know what the government wants is an election tomorrow and a new government, of which they hope they will be led. Are we saying, lord fowler, in terms of the ceremonial and tradition and heritage and pageantry, this is the same as usual, but politically it is a little thin . I dont know about thin will stop as i understand it there will be a lot of measures in there will be a lot of measures in the queens speech, it is not exactly thin. It is how they are delivered. It is how they are delivered. It is how they are delivered and what value, as margaret says, is put on it. The ceremony will be very much the same. One thing im always intrigued by is my predecessor, the lord speaker has only been in existence for about ten years. Im the third. Before that there was the lord chancellor. And there was the lord chancellor. And the lord chancellor, and now the lord chancellor in the commons, presents the queens speech to the queen and margaret will remember this, quentin hogg, lord hailsham, he would come forward and he was, how can i put it . Ofa he would come forward and he was, how can i put it . Of a certain age and quite wobbly. You dont attain your back on the queen, of course. He came down these stairs and everybody held their breath. You will find today that we dont do it quite that way. He comes down one stairand quite that way. He comes down one stair and goes out. That was one of the changes in tradition that has taken place. Billed by some as a prophet revolution, actually, in terms of the way its changed. Ill tell you of another revolution. Our dear black rod is a woman and we appointed a woman, i was delighted we we re appointed a woman, i was delighted we were able to do that. But the first woman black rod over 600 years and she is fantastic. And you with the first male lord speaker. And she is fantastic. And you with the first male lord speakerlj and she is fantastic. And you with the first male lord speaker. I was laughter i broke the glass ceiling. Margaret, at this point, we are looking at a debate that is taking place at a time of great uncertainty with the Brexit Process overshadowing everything. There is still talk of possibly a deal in the days approaching the eu summit, which is coming up. How it will all of that affect the debate around this proposed programme of legislation . Because surely everything hinges on the outcome of that process. Yes, it does. Im afraid it will make it rather ratty and bad tempered. And probably not as constructive as it ought to be. Theoretically, from what we hear, some of the things the government will say they want to talk about art, to a degree, Common Ground, and everybody thinks are really important. What is happening with education, Climate Change, police service. All of those things, the health service, there is a lot of Common Ground but disagreement about the best way to go. But how much focus there will be, i suspect a lot of it will be a snappy, probably very mistrustful debate, which is a pity because queens speech ought to be an occasion to step back and look at what the government ought to be doing for the betterment of the country, but it wont be this time, i think. What is your hunch, lord fowler . Will be be backin your hunch, lord fowler . Will be be back in the studio in a few weeks . few weeks is putting it height but it could be a fairly short space of time. I hope it is not a ratty debate. It wont be in the house of lords. In the house of commons. If ican lords. In the house of commons. If i can say a word of defence to the house of commons, they come in for an awful lot of stick. The fact is that mps, and i was in the house would 3 years, they are much closer to the public, much closer to the people now than i can ever remember. And i came in, you had mps who didnt stay a night in the constituency, let alone do constituency, let alone do constituency politics. It would be a pity if that reputation that they deserve to have is destroyed by what goes on in the chamber. We will let you go, but especially for lord fowler, who takes a prominent role in todays of proceedings, how do you regard that . Is it a nerve racking thing or do you quite enjoy it . Its not that prominent, to be honest. Its very prominent. The major thing is getting this enormous gold cloak on which is a very, very heavy. Not what im used to wearing. You will see whether i managed to do it or not. We will see. Dame margaret, good to see you. Thank you for joining margaret, good to see you. Thank you forjoining us. Lord fowler, see you later on. We will be speaking to all of the main parties about the current political deadlock a little later in the programme. Its a good moment to take our bearings in the palace of westminster ahead of the queens arrival. This is where the queens coach will arrive, at the foot of the victoria tower the tallest tower in the palace of westminster which houses the parliamentary archives. That is on the right hand side. A detachment of the household cavalry will be lining the royal staircase, and when the queen arrives she will go to the robing room, where the imperial state crown will have been placed ready for the ceremony. That door is currently closed, we are not allowed to access that with the cameras. Once the queen is ready, her majesty, accompanied by the prince of wales, will then begin the formal procession through the royal gallery which is one of the most magnificent spacesin which is one of the most magnificent spaces in the palace of westminster, full of diplomatic and military guests . Into the Princes Chamber the small room next to the house of lords with its white marble statue of Queen Victoria, and then into the chamber of the house of lords. We saw the yeomen of the guard there area we saw the yeomen of the guard there are a short while ago. The statue of Queen Victoria is very impressive indeed and the actual chamber of this Little Chamber of the princes room, this is for me one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace and there are all kinds of portraits, treasures, little gems. Portraits of tudor monarchs. Henry viii and his u nfortu nate tudor monarchs. Henry viii and his unfortunate wives, also portrayed on the walls. Once they go through the princes gallery they will go through to the house of lords, the queen and the prince of wales will be on the thrones and the signal will then be given by her majesty to cement members of parliament from the house of commons, at the other end of the palace of westminster, to come and listen to the speech. They will all pass through the central lobby at the heart of the palace of westminster and my colleague vicki young is there now. This is one of the best locations to witness some of the most iconic moments of the ceremony. Well see the speakers procession pass by and hear the cry of hats off, strangers ring out across the lobby. Shortly afterwards, black rod will be dispatched from the lords. This is the first time a woman has ever held this role. She will pass through here as she makes her way to the commons, to invite mps to hear the queen. Tradition dictates the door will be slammed in herface an important symbol of the independence of the house of commons. Of course, whilst this is an occasion all about tradition, the last few years have been anything but traditional here in westminster. Its been a remarkable period of parliamentary politics since the last state opening of parliament in 2017. The last state opening of parliament followed the 2017 election when the conservatives lost their parliamentary majority. The queens speech was delayed while theresa may negotiated a confidence and supply deal with the democratic Unionist Party. Formal brexit negotiations between the uk and the eu started, with brexit secretary david davis mmeeting michel barnier, and in december, the two sides signed a last minute deal to agree to move talks onto the next phase. June 2018 saw a crunch meeting at the Prime Ministers country retreat chequers, with theresa may summoning her cabinet to get them to back her brexit deal. It led, though, to the resignation of some of her top team, including david davis, and Boris Johnson. The Prime Ministers deal was put to parliament in a meaningful vote in january 2019. The ayes to the right, 202, the noes to the left, 232. But the government lost by a huge 230 votes. Theresa may was forced to go to an eu summit to ask for an extension to article 50. The eu initially granted a brexit delay of a few weeks, before a new deadline of the 31st of october was agreed. In may, the Prime Minister announced that she was standing down, iam i am today announcing that i will resign as leader of the conservative and Unionist Party on friday the 17th ofjune. Unable to bring the party and parliament together to agree a brexit deal. In the leadership election that followed, borisjohnson led at every stage and was formally appointed as the new Prime Minister minister on the 24thjuly. The message from mrjohnson throughout his campaign, and on entering office, has been pretty consistent. There are no circumstances in which i will ask brussels to delay. We are leaving on the 31st of october, no ifs, or buts. But the start to his premiership has not been plain sailing. Hes been defeated in the commons by mps trying to prevent no deal. More than 20 conservatives were booted out as a result. Others have defected to opposition parties. And mrjohnson has been overruled by the Supreme Court over his decision to suspend parliament. Today, with just over two weeks until the current brexit deadline, the queen will read out the governments programme for government. But theres a big question over how much of it borisjohnson and his ministers will be able to deliver. There is indeed that big question which we will be tackling throughout the morning. I said earlier that this is the first queens speech for borisjohnson who left number 10 this morning, just a short while ago. That was after a very hectic first three months in power. So far, he has failed to persuade the eu to back his brexit plan. But there is talk of may be a path to some kind of deal at this moment after the talks with the taoiseach a few days ago. All of today is about his priorities for a conservative future government if there is one, if he wins a majority at the election which is widely expected in a few months, possibly. All of that should become clearer today. With me, two very expert people in their own fields who know a lot about the ins and outs of the constitutional and royal niceties, and subtleties, that have been thrown up by the events of the last few months. Bronwen maddox from the institute for government, and the journalist and royal commentator robert hardman, who writes for the daily mail. Can we start on matters constitutional, lots of questions have been asked since borisjohnson came to power, certainly, about the way the executive has interacted with parliament and indeed with the palace, i will be asking robert about that in a moment. What has been thrown up in terms of issues there, what would you want people to really focus on . We have had a long wrestling match, if you like, an arm wrestling match, if you like, an arm wrestling match, if you like, an arm wrestling match between parliament and the executive, the government, over this. A lot of these things are coming toa over this. A lot of these things are coming to a head in this. There is a question of whether this queens speech means anything, if he is getting the monitor to read out what is essentially a pre manifesto. But then you have questions about what parliament can make him do. Parliament can make him do. Parliament has already passed this bit of legislation saying that if by the 19th, he has not got either the agreement for a deal, from the eu, 01 agreement for a deal, from the eu, oran agreement for a deal, from the eu, or an argument for a no deal, he had to ask for an extension. Have they really forced him to do that or has he found a way around it as there are mutterings that he might have done . Then you have the oddity that the parliament might vote down the queens speech but does not agree for a general election. Before something called the fixed term parliaments act, that would have gone pretty quickly to a no confidence vote. The last time that happened was in 192a. But now we might be stuck in a limbo under the fixed term parliaments act where he could not get his queens speech through saying what he wanted to do, but parliament will not quite agree toa but parliament will not quite agree to a general election because of other manoeuvrings, for example wanting a second referendum. Hence this phrase a zombie parliament. That has been used for many reasons, thatis that has been used for many reasons, that is not a constitutional point, that is not a constitutional point, thatis that is not a constitutional point, that is about a government without majority. In a corner with no room to manoeuvre. Very little, but he has a tiny bit which hangs on this manoeuvring which is happening with brussels, not in parliament. Whichever which is overshadowing this. There has been a lot of talk about possible tensions between government and the palace, concerns in some quarters of the queen being dragged into the political process, thatis dragged into the political process, that is improper and inappropriate, and that there are concerns within royal circles about that. What can you tell us . There has certainly beena you tell us . There has certainly been a degree of exasperation in re ce nt been a degree of exasperation in recent weeks and months about what has happened with the prorogation, the prorogation that wasnt, and there is a nervousness about the queen being dragged into politics. That has really been an issue since, as bronwen mentioned, since this fixed term parliaments act. It takes us fixed term parliaments act. It takes us into uncharted waters. Today there is a strong sense, i dont get any feeling that the queen or anyone at the palace feels put out by coming today, i think there is a real sense this is a sort of constitutional reboot. This is putting the queen back where she belongs at the heart of things. People have said, this is a sham queens speech, because what happens if she has to do it all over again . I dont sense any reluctance, though, to be here. There is a real sense, dont forget it is two and a half years since we had a state opening, three and a half years since we had a proper state opening with the crown and the carriages and all the trimmings. Back then David Cameron was still Prime Minister so there is a long time since we have seen what we are seeing today. Thats interesting because some people, because of the circumstances and the uncertainty and the possibility of another one coming up soon, maybe today we would not have had the full pageantry and ceremony but we are getting it. We are, we have already seen the wonderful scene of the yeomen of the guard doing the search of the sellers. Shortly we will see the green with all the regalia. The queen with all the regalia. The queen with all the regalia. A few tweaks, sensible tweaks given the passage of time, so she will not be wearing the imperial state crown when she sits on the throne, it will be on a cushion. It weighs over £2 and wisely she has said, i will bring it but put it on a cushion. The first one she did in 1952, she did not wear them because she had not been crowned, the correlation hadnt happened. We are seeing this great tableau, this pageant which shows the Constitutional Order of things, the Constitutional Order of things, the queen and parliament, the lords and commons, a very visual definition of the way things have worked and always worked. I think the queen will be very glad to be back centrestage. Centrestage reading the speech written by the gunmen, we are told there will be more written by the government, we are told there will be more 20 bills. What does this queens speech mean in terms of a practical government . We got a taste of the conservative Party Conference not that long ago. A lot of money for Public Services, and the poll suggested that was very popular with the public, people asked how it would be funded. That does not have to be spelt out in this but we have heard that a budget might be coming on the rails to explain what is happening. You will get all of what the government wants to do get all of what the government wants todoa get all of what the government wants to do a side of brexit, but what the interest will be is what the government tries to say about brexit in this. , whether it says we will leave on october 31 or a deal will come before that. The wording on that will attract some interest and all of that is being manoeuvred as we talk. We will focus on that later, thank you so much for coming in. We are trying to get the broadest range of views in response to the queens speech, and with that in mind, letsjoin vicki. To the queens speech, and with that in mind, lets join vicki. A lot of speculation about whether any of the announcements can be implement by borisjohnson announcements can be implement by Boris Johnson because announcements can be implement by borisjohnson because he is 23 short ofa borisjohnson because he is 23 short of a majority. Part of the reason is a conservative mps who have been booted out. One of them is with me now, would you vote for the queens speech . I need to wait to see what it is in it. Also worth bearing in mind is that whilst voting against the queens speech is a very significant thing to do, because of the workings of the fixed term parliaments act, it would no longer precipitate a general election. I need to see whats in it and there might well be things in it which i would be very happy to support as a conservative. I think we need to understand that. The problem is that it is entire proceeding is dominated by brexit which lies in the background, unresolved and as long as it is not resolved, is likely to make the government . Ability to govern very difficult. Particularly now it does not have a majority and it has decided to get rid of some of its mps like me. Do you think there is any deal you would ever vote for . Your critics would say that you just wa nt to your critics would say that you just want to block brexit, notjust about stopping no deal, you dont want brexit to happen. Thats not right. My view has always been that we are now talking of a deal or no deal and both of those things, the deal or no deal are very different from what has been floated in the Referendum Campaign in 2016. My own view has to beat to take it back to the public and ask them. What troubles me is to ta ke and ask them. What troubles me is to take people out of the eu either on ano take people out of the eu either on a no deal which is catastrophic to us all on a deal which bears no resemblance to what was being pushed by leavers in 2016 and to do that ourselves without consulting the people, if i can persuade the Prime Minister to get a deal and put it to the public, iwould be prepared to support that. On saturday the house of commons will be sitting, a highly unusual move. I presume at that point people will be calling for a referendum. Do you think the numbers in the house of commons has been changed . In the house of commons has been changed . Every other time in the house of commons has been changed . Every other time it has been voted on, a referendum has not been voted on, a referendum has not been passed. I think the numbers are changing. This is difficult for all colleagues on every side of the house. I colleagues on every side of the house. Lam more colleagues on every side of the house. I am more optimistic that we are likely to get a majority asking for a referendum that we would have done three or four months ago but we will have to wait and see what happens. We can speculate to our Hearts Content but at the end of the day, the vote on the nyda will matter. We have done a lot of speculating recently. Looking at a referendum, people like you and others would say that would solve it once and for all, why would it . What if remain won by a small amount, why should people respect that result . |j should people respect that result . dont expect little to respect the result, they dont like the result ofa result, they dont like the result of a second referendum, they are allowed to protest it as much as they want. If people dont like the outcome of a referendum, in a parliamentary democracy, their solution is to form a government to ta ke solution is to form a government to take us out. But i dont think we will go down the route of a referendum again, which has many flaws, particularly in relation to asking what was essentially an abstract question, which people felt passionately about but translating that abstract question into that actual reality is where we have completely floundered. Thank you very much, dominic grieve. Today all about the tradition and the ceremony here but all eyes are still on brussels to safe borisjohnson can get a deal with the eu. Ina in a moment we were speak to members of the four biggest parties in westminster. Todays queens speech comes at a time of massive political turbulence and uncertainty. How will the following days and weeks unfold west to mike vicki has tried to explain it. Brexit has dominated parliament for more than three years and with talks in brussels intensify, this will be another crucial week. Mps are due to debate the contents of the queens speech in parliament and hold a vote on whether to endorse it. Then on thursday Boris Johnson on whether to endorse it. Then on thursday borisjohnson is due to head to brussels to meet with other eu leaders. Unusually, the comment is due to sit on saturday. If Boris Johnson has secured a deal with the eu, mps will probably be asked to vote to approve it. Could deal get support this time around . Will mps try to amend its . If there is not a deal, this law kicks in, forcing the government to ask for brexit to be delayed. The government insists it will abide by this law but also says the uk will definitely leave the eu on the 31st of october. How they square this circle is anyones guess, but many think it could all end up backing are being challenged at the Supreme Court. Whatever happens, its likely the uk will be heading for another general election. The earliest it could take place would be before christmas, either late november or early december. Are all the conventions have been broken. All the normal political allegiances fractured. The party tribes are breaking down. The rubik cube of politics has been scrambled, if you like. Red, blue, yellow and green are alljumbled up. Its really ha rd yellow and green are alljumbled up. Its really hard to know where its all going to end. Brexit could play all going to end. Brexit could play a huge part in any general election. If we havent left the eu, conservatives fear it could be left to the labour party. All will hope to the labour party. All will hope to attract voters who want a second referendum. Im not one of those who says a general election will not change anything, it will change a lot of. Positions were crystallised. We will have a campaign, we will see leaders facing off in debates, we will know more about them than we did. The composition of parliament, evenif did. The composition of parliament, even if the numbers remain as they are, it will change. This queens speech is unlikely to provide much ofan speech is unlikely to provide much of an indication as to where the country is headed. The coming weeks and months could be as unpredictable as the past three years. That was for with thoughts on what might come up in the next few weeks, months and years. Im joined now by mps from the four largest parties in the house of commons. Andrew bowie, the of the party, joanna cherry from the Scottish National party. Jenny chaplin and sir ed davey. And the bbcs Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg is here too. Thank you all forjoining us. Dame Margaret Beckett was here a short while ago and she was pretty blunt and said, this is a sham queens speech, which is a strong statement to make, given it is a programme of legislation. She was saying actually it isnt that, its a kind of conservative manifesto and it amounts to a bit of a sham in the current circumstances. What is the answer . I completely disagree, respectfully disagree. What we are unveiling today is an ambitious and Progressive Programme of government. A programme of government that will talk about investing in the nhs, Public Services, tackling the cost of living, combating Violent Crime, which is what i think are the priorities of the people, what they wa nt to priorities of the people, what they want to see their politicians getting on dealing with and talking about and not being stuck in this interminable position about how we do not exit the eu without or with a deal. Its time to move on. People wa nt to deal. Its time to move on. People want to move on and Start Talking about these issues which are their priorities. Thats what we are unveiling today. You are unveiling that and questions from home will be, how on earth do you deliver any of those in the current circumstances . It will be difficult. Lord fowler said these are highly unusual circumstances but we are determined to carry on and continue to govern in the National Interest. This queens speech will unveil our policies and priorities for what we wa nt to policies and priorities for what we want to do and deliver for the british people. Do you think it is a sham . I think Margaret Beckett is 100 right, yes a stop sign this government do not have a majority and therefore are not the means to deliver this. It is a manifesto for the conservative party and an election manifesto that scotland will almost certainly reject. There will almost certainly reject. There will be an immigration bill in this queens speech which will remove freedom of movement, which is a disaster for the scottish economy and the economy of all the nations in these islands. Margaret beckett is correct. Do we think, jenny, on the basis of what weve heard so far, that there is any chance of the kind of compromise across the house of commons which could deliver some kind of agreement on brexit and therefore allow some of these programmes to go forward or not . What is your view . Those things are completely unrelated. What we are seeing today as Margaret Beckett and joanna have said is getting the queen to weed out the tory manifesto. We know it borisjohnson doesnt mind involving the queen in his political manoeuvring. I dont think that macro this is not what you what you would expect from a queens speech which should come after a general election, not what could be a matter of weeks before one, from a government with a majority of 45. I dont think this really has anything to do with the ability or otherwise of the government to get through a deal that may or may not come on brexit. The question is that, given that you have had the opportunity to agree to a general election, you could have had it and then a queens speech, maybe one you would have presented or the conservatives, that was entirely possible but you chose not to do that. And we all know why. That was about preventing us crashing out without a deal. It would have been highly irresponsible of opposition parties to go along with that plan. We note this Prime Minister plays fast and loose and he would have manipulated the situation to crash us out, should that have been the most politically expedient thing for him, never mind what it does to the country. Ed, what is your take . Do you see anything beyond the colour and pageantry, which people enjoy because its a great tradition we are seeing today and goes back many years . Do you see and goes back many years . Do you see a political value to it or not . Not at all. I agree withjoanna and jenny. We are seeing fewer conservative politics. We know there isa conservative politics. We know there is a massive debate in brussels which will come to the house of commons on saturday. We have a date, the 31st of october, and which the Prime Minister is making big store about. Why isnt he waiting . If he was really serious about having a programme and not going to an election, he would wait until then. He is not. I think hes being discourteous to her majesty. First of all we saw how he misled her according to the Supreme Court over the first attempt to prorogue parliament. Now he is bringing her into electoral politics. I think conservatives up and down the land will be shocked. The conservative Prime Minister is doing this to our queen. Is that the view inside downing street . I think that view is todayis downing street . I think that view is today is an opportunity. Its the way they view everything, as a political opportunity. That has been clear since the day they moved in and the choices borisjohnson made both in his Leadership Campaign and then in terms of how he put together his team in downing street. From day one the way i have described it before it is a campaign not a government. He inherited a position where they didnt have a majority, so sooner or later they were going to have to force a moment where they tried to get the numbers on their side. Today therefore is part of that. If we stand back further from that, of course borisjohnson is a new Prime Minister, he is therefore traditionally absolutely entitled to do the prorogation and have a queens speech. But the political context of this is pretty, i would say, according to opposition politicians, not just the three, say, according to opposition politicians, notjust the three, but widespread. The context they have created is audacious to say the least. In terms of whether any of these measures will ever actually come to fruition for our audience, whatever you hear today, we cannot be sure until after a general election because none of what has been announced today is getting through until the bigger context is different. Lets look at the foot of the victoria tower. We are just getting ready for some of the pageantry to get under way. This is where the queens carriage will arrive in maybe half an hour, maybe arrive in maybe half an hour, maybe a little more. This is the point at which we have our dismounted detachment of the household cavalry being led into the royal staircase and the area at the foot of the tower. The life guards in the scarlet tunics, they are smartly making their way in. They will align at the royal staircase providing a guard of honourfor her at the royal staircase providing a guard of honour for her majestys that will be in about half arrival. That will be in about half an hour. Lots of these are young recruits. They are still in training with the household cavalry, so this isa with the household cavalry, so this is a big day for them. I am sure there are a few nervous participants today but this is a great day for them to be taking part in one of the big parliamentary ceremonial events and of course one of the big ceremonial events of the british calendar full stop. Ceremonial events of the british calendarfull stop. It is ceremonial events of the british calendar full stop. It is that big and powerful. Our first calendar full stop. It is that big and powerful. Ourfirst glimpse of the ceremonial getting under way with the household cavalry taking pride of place on the royal staircase, all the way up to the norman porch, as it is called. Thats the kind of landing area there. That is where the queen will be appearing in a short while and making her way into the robing room, which isjust on making her way into the robing room, which is just on the left hand side of the screen. That is where the crown will be placed and the royal procession will start. Neatly in place, very slightly in place, the household cavalry with lots of the young recruits who have been chosen to take part in the state opening. I am bound to say, andrew, you must have felt slightly outnumbered. Laughter im used to this, its fine thought you might say that. The fundamental issue is, no matter what you say, the quality or the effect the might have, if there is little chance of it being put into effect, or if you are a government right now which would face a lot of difficulty in acting this legislation, you are bound to ask, what is the point of it . That is a reasonable question. It is, but you touched on something a second ago when we watched the household cavalry lining the steps. You said it was one of the great events in the british parliamentary calendar and that is absolutely right. We havent had one of these for 8h days. Its been two and a half years since the last time we had a queens speech. The last time that a session of parliament lasted this long was before the english civil war. This session of parliament needed to come to an end and a new one needed to begin and thatis and a new one needed to begin and that is why we are having a queens speech today. You talk of tradition and here we have the yeomen of the guard. These are the oldest of the royal bodyguards. I like to remind people that they were created by sme welshman, henry tudor. Back in the battle of bosworth, and i think he was one quarter welsh, that is good enough. Henry tudor created the yeomen of the guard back in 1485. Its the oldest military corps in existence in britain. These are vetera ns existence in britain. These are veterans of the Armed Services who are taking part in the ceremony today in their distinctive red tudor uniform, looking very smart indeed. Being led into the royal gallery by the captain. The captain of the yeomen of the guard is a political appointment and it is the government deputy chief whip in the house of lords, traditionally the government is the captain. They will form a guard of honour in the royal gallery because this is where the procession will take place later on, what we call the procession in state, where the queen and the imperial state crown, that great symbol of Royal Authority, will make their way along the pathway towards the ceremonial pathway, towards the Princes Chamber, the princes room in house of lords. Thats nice to see with the royal gallery itself which is now full of guests and the house of lords, which later on we will be listening to the speech of the queen. Joanna cherry, maybe you want to tell us who that is. Lady hale. The president of the Supreme Court. She played a very significant role recently in thatjudgment on prorogation, which you were part of. It is important to remember that how we have had this queens speech today was all part of a ruse by borisjohnson to suspend parliament because it was getting on his way because it was getting on his way because he doesnt have a majority. This is the most ridiculous flummery. I know some people who like this kind of thing, and that is the kind of thing that some people like if they like that kind of thing as miss jean brodie like if they like that kind of thing as missjean brodie once said. It happening in the middle of a constitutional crisis, we are looking a crashing out of the European Union with disastrous economic sequences for all of the nations and its islands in the number of days. This is distraction therapy for the tories, maybe he knows he will not last very long and this is the only plant he will get it. When you mentioned crashing out you said no, so why are you so confident . Im confident that they are going to get a deal with the eu, thatis are going to get a deal with the eu, that is why they are in negotiation. It is absolutely within reach, getting a deal good for the country and the only people taking a two or no deal cliff edge is those refusing to back the Prime Minister which includes the sdp, the liberal cuts. Im not going to support any old dealjust to protect im not going to support any old deal just to protect the im not going to support any old dealjust to protect the Prime Minister. Some of your colleagues may consider backing a deal that borisjohnson brings may consider backing a deal that Boris Johnson brings back, may consider backing a deal that borisjohnson brings back, what would you be saying to them . borisjohnson brings back, what would you be saying to them . I dont think we will see as many as my colleagues backing a deal as reported. I was asked last night, 20 or30 . | reported. I was asked last night, 20 or 30 . I think that is pie in the sky. Yes, there are many labour mps who would like a good deal and we have described what that it should look like, but when you have what looks to be, if you can believe any of the briefings that we get, the theresa may deal minus the things that labour mps thought to get around in theiraround that labour mps thought to get around in their around work rights and environmental safety, they are not going to go for that. Do you think that there is a possibility at least that the Prime Minister will get some kind of deal, that it will have an element of compromise that some people will not be able to stomach, whether they are in the erg all the dup, but he stands a chance by now because of the pressure of getting something together. What would be the response in the commons to that . There must be a possibility of getting a deal and i dont want to predict whether we will get it through the house of commons. I can speakfrom through the house of commons. I can speak from the liberal democrats, they want to stop brexit so we will vote against the deal. What has been interesting in cross party talks including tory rebels, there is a group of people, potentially a majority who would be willing to back a deal if it went back to the people with remain on the ballot paper. If one is looking for consensus, if one is looking to try to end this and bring people together, that could be a way forward. The liberal democrats and joe spent our leader will be arguing for that and i think you could see joe for that and i think you could see joe swinson, our leader, for that and i think you could see joe swinson, our leader, because it will go back to the people, let this deal go forward as long as the ballot paper has an option of remaining in the eu. Lets go to the ceremonial things, you were slightly insulting about it, you called it flummery . Is she wants to leave the country, its unsurprising. flummery . Is she wants to leave the country, its unsurprising. I dont wa nt to country, its unsurprising. I dont want to leave the country, i want the scotland and england to be separate nations, we dont live in a country, we live in a union. This is pa rt country, we live in a union. This is part of the tradition in parliament, and wales and scotland and Northern Ireland have their own traditions, how is that these are the gentlemen at arms, and they play a prominent role in the state opening because they are again a form of royal bodyguard. We mention the yeomen of the guard who were set up by henry the guard who were set up by henry the tudor, these were set up by henry viii. The slow march into the royal gallery. They celebrated their 510th anniversary this year, a decade ago the queen was paying tribute on their 500th anniversary as her nearest guard. Although the yeomen were set up before them, the gentlemen at arms are the more senior grouping because they are classed as gentlemen rather than yeomen. That is the difference in status. They are making their way towards the Princes Chamber. The captain isa towards the Princes Chamber. The captain is a political appointment. The captain of the honourable corps of gentlemen at arms is the government chief whip, lord ashton of hyde, appointed injuly this year so this is his first grand ceremonial as government chief whip and his role as the captain of the each gentlemen at arms leading them into the chamber. Here is the scene outside, on what has been a rather damp start to the day. At 6am, it was pouring with rain. It is still looking quite damp. But what we have here is the regalia procession, as it is known, which brings the crown and the cap of maintenance, and the sword of state to the palace of westminster. Those three great symbols of Royal Authority. Accompanied by the crown thatjulia and other senior officers. The crown jewel. They are using the Queen Alexandra state coach today, built originally in 1885. So the regalia, coming from the palace today, most of it kept at the tower of london but transferred to the palace overnight. And then we will see the regalia being transferred now at the foot of the victoria tower ready for it to be taken into the regalia room and then into the royal gallery where it will be put in display. Lets see the arrival here. An interesting feature is that the state ceremonies feature the queens bargemaster and state ceremonies feature the queens ba rgemaster and waterman. That state ceremonies feature the queens bargemaster and waterman. That was because the crown jewels used to be brought by a river, because that was safer than being brought by road. We have several new faces in the ceremony today, including the new controller of the Lord Chamberlains Office in the palace, michael vernon, Lieutenant Colonel michael vernon, Lieutenant Colonel michael vernon, with a long distinguished military career he is now in this post, taking over from military career he is now in this post, taking overfrom andrew military career he is now in this post, taking over from andrew ford. He is waiting at the foot of the stairs. The imperial state crown, with its 3000 gemstones. Only seen at coronations and state openings of parliament so it is a rare sight. Michael vernon in his first state opening, ready to take the crown into the regalia room where it will be placed on a different kind of cushion to be taken up to the royal gallery to be put on display their until the green . Until the queen . Arrival. That is one of three symbols of the Royal Authority that we will seen today. The other two are the cap of maintenance and the sword of state. The cap of maintenance, crimson velvet and air mine. They are all symbols of the monicas power the monicas power. Everything needs to be pristine before it is brought into the royal gallery. These elements of the ceremonial which lead up to one thing, and that is the queens arrival and her procession into the house of lords where she will then summon members of the house of commons. The new black rod, a lady a share of the black rod for the first time in hundreds of years, and we will see the black rod summoning mps in that famous scene, knocking the door, asking for entry and bringing mps to the house of lords to listen to the speech itself. So we are enjoying a bit of drama. Yes, its very enjoyable, but i dont see how it moves the current political situation forward in anyway. it moves the current political situation forward in anyway. I dont think we could see the yeomen of the guard moving forward brexit. Maybe thatis guard moving forward brexit. Maybe that is the issue we have three and a half yea rs that is the issue we have three and a half years of politicians going round and round the same mulberry bush, it could be that that is the solution i have just bush, it could be that that is the solution i havejust been bush, it could be that that is the solution i have just been watching these pictures and it occurs to me, this is the last time i have seen anything line up in a Straight Line and an orderly fashion in parliament for some months. Fair comment. Listening to these four, nothing certain is about what happens next because already before we see the shape of the deal coming back from brussels, the three big blocks, opposition parties are sure that the front bench will not back it even though info they have not seen it. The conservatives will try and ram it through but nothing gives us a certain outcome. We look at these images. This is the formal moving of the crown to the royal gallery where it is put on display, a symbol of the queens authority and power, originally made for george vi and remodelled in 1953 for the queens own coronation. It is very heavy, it weighs at least two and a half pounds which is why the queen may not have decided to wear it today, and who can blame her. How do you respond to the serious accusations that the queen has been treated disrespectfully in this process, this political process, she has been put ina this political process, she has been put in a difficult position by downing street and borisjohnson and that this is an inappropriate way to deal with her majesty, what is the response to that . There is a very serious allegation there and i would refute them and number 10 would refute them and number 10 would refute them and number 10 would refute them completely. The government had never sought to put the her majesty in a difficult position throughout the entire process. We have acted with complete probity and within the law. And we are respecting the age old traditions of the clean reopening parliament after prorogation which is what we are seeing today. Watching the images, i have very fond memories of when i was outside lining the streets of the 2008 state opening when lining the streets of the 2008 state opening when i was serving for the royal navy, i never thought i would be sitting inside the building watching the events. For all the comments on the flummery and ceremony, it really does mean something to a lot of people. We will mention the street liners later, they have got a pretty hard task today on the streets so we will mention them later on and give them full credit. Some raised eyebrows because you said you acted lawfully, that clearly was not the case when it came to the prorogation because the Supreme Court made that very clear. The government acted within what it thought the law was at the time. As the attorney general made clear in parliament, in issuing the judgment as they did, they created new law and be abided by the new law and returned to parliament and the government in proroguing for the second time acted within the auspices of the new law set down by the Supreme Court. We have acted with complete probity entirely and in no way sought to put the cream into an uncomfortable position. The queen. Lets have a little closer look at the cap of maintenance and sword of state. Y eight cap of maintenance . That is traditionally almost traditionally a kind of gift given by the pope to the monarchs that the pope favoured and it became a tradition to carry it through the city of london on a stick to show that the pope was favouring the current monarch so it isa favouring the current monarch so it is a symbol of authority for the monarchy. The sword of state has been associated with coronations since the coronation ofjames ii in 1685. They will be carried in the procession by two distinguished figures, the former chief of the defence figures, the former chief of the d efe nce staff figures, the former chief of the Defence Staff and the current leader of the house of lords. That is how the regalia is included in the ceremony itself. The heralds are making their way from the prince Plasma Chamber led by thomas woodcock, down to the norman porch where they will await the queens arrival. They are in charge of all heraldic records in england, wales and Northern Ireland, not scotland but the other three countries. They are charged with licensing heraldic developments and putting their seal of approval on new heraldic names and new heraldic agreements. That is their principal duty. They take part and the role of the garter king of arms goes back to the garter king of arms goes back to the 15th century. We are really delving into the distant past. The tudor and medieval past, when we look at the heralds themselves making their way to the foot now of the royal staircase, ready for the queens arrival, which will take place in ten or 15 minutes time. That is the latest part of the ceremony. We were talking about the role of the crown and help the crown has become, according to some people, too closely involved or dragged in, if you like, to the political process. That has been one aspect of all of this. The other aspect of all of this. The other aspect has been, i suppose, the relationship between the executive, in other words government, and parliament itself. Laura, start us off on this. Given the role of the house of commons, especially, and the role of the speaker, which has been quite a controversial one but a very important one, how have you seen that playing out between downing street in government and parliament itself . It has become very hostile. Since borisjohnson has been in office it is a very rapid acceleration of what was already a big tension between theresa may when she was in downing street and parliament was blocking her attempts to get a deal. She had those catastrophic defeats of the deal she put together with the eu and there was a huge amount of tension between downing street and parliament, even then, as im sure andrew might remember he had the look duty of being theresa mays pps, a very close ally of hers and trying to keep backbenchers on board. When Boris Johnson trying to keep backbenchers on board. When borisjohnson inherited this, he inherited it also with what isa this, he inherited it also with what is a great deal of swagger and bravado. And also a determination from a political point of view to use that tension to create this sort of very binary situation, very binary story to tell the public. That he is trying to solve brexit and parliament is only trying to argue about it. Huge contention as to whether that is true, but he has absolutely tried to divide and conquer. The crown taken into the robing room by the marquis of cholmondeley, who was in charge of the royal parts of the palace of westminster, by which i mean the robing room and the royal gallery. Joint ownership, orjoint responsibility, if you like, for the Westminster Hall with the sergeant at arms and with black rod, as well. There is a shared responsibility for the Westminster Hall part, the old est pa rt the Westminster Hall part, the oldest part of the palace of westminster. The marquis will be here to greet the queen along with the duke of norfolk, the earl marshal, one of the great offices of state. That will happen shortly, because i am told the queen is about to leave Buckingham Palace in the next few minutes. That means she will be at westminster easily within ten minutes of leaving the palace, just along the mall and down horse guards and down to parliament itself. Do we agree with lauras assessment with how hostility has developed between parliament and government . Jenny . developed between parliament and government . Jenny . I do agree and one of the reasons is, as laura says, the swagger and lack of attempt by the Prime Minister to reach out to anybody but those who agree wholeheartedly with him on every issue. Another reason is the procedure is in the house of commons just are not geared up for these kinds of situations. I sat on the Procedure Committee for five years and one of the things we kept reminding ourselves of is that this is all about the rules that are there, they are generally about trying to get the government to get its will, and thats no longer applies. We are talking about what some people say is swagger. Lets look at the scene inside the royal gallery because there we have the familiarfigure of gallery because there we have the familiar figure of jacob rees mogg, who is the lord president and leader of the house of commons, known by some of his friends as the right honourable member for the 18th century for reasons i cant quite work out he is ready to greet the queen who, as we can see, is now leaving Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee state coach. It looks very old and ancient, but it isnt. It is quite a new coach, made in 2010 in readiness for the Diamond Jubilee, and mainly built in australia. This carriage, which is carrying the queen and the duchess of cornwall and the prince of wales today, has been described to me by the palace as a bit of a mobile museum of britain and the commonwealth because it is made with all kinds of sections of timber from famous old ships in the navy and from different buildings, including holyrood, by the way, and the palace of westminster and other places and, indeed, salisbury and lincoln and canterbury cathedral. That is part of the woodwork inside the very modern carriage, which im sure the queen prefers because this one, unlike many of the others, has a bit of heating inside laughter it is more comfortable with cushions, it is a smoother ride and has all the new gizmos in it. So although it looks traditional and kind of 18th century, it is a great site, it has to be said, it is the most modern of the royal coaches. Fanfare state trumpeter of the household cavalry sounding the royal salute. So the queen, who celebrated her 93rd birthday in april this year, being accompanied to the state opening of 2019 by the prince of wales, the longest serving air apparent in british history the longest serving heir apparent and the duchess of cornwall who has accompanied the prince of wales for the last six years to the state opening. The escort provided as usual by the household cavalry, the life guards and the blues and royals. Making their way from Buckingham Palace on this rather wet day in october to head towards admiralty arch along the mall on the fringes of saint james admiralty arch along the mall on the fringes of saintjames park, admiralty arch along the mall on the fringes of saint james park, past the canada gate and along the mile up the canada gate and along the mile up to course guards on that relatively short journey up to course guards on that relatively shortjourney horse guards on that relatively short journey. A very familiar route for the queen and for everyone watching because this is the route we see on all kinds of royal occasions, including the queens birthday parade in june including the queens birthday parade injune and other big events including royal weddings and royal celebrations of all kinds. We were talking about relations between parliament and the executive. What is your take, ed . Ive never known them so bad. I think it is revealed in something about our politics. I think ill takes is broken. I think europe has divided the labour party and the conservative party in ways we havent seen before. I think it means that the way we have worked in parliament before over the years is really being brought into disrepute. I think constituents who have been surprised about how parliament works, how the government tries to dominate it and doesnt allow parliament to set its own agenda, i think that has been exposed and i think that has been exposed and i think the case for political reform, liberal democrats and others have argued for many years, that is now getting a bigger hearing than we have seen. Actually we have also seen something positive. Lets look at the other side of the ledger. We have seen parties working together. Opposition parties and mps from the governing Party Working in the National Interest will stop parliament to try to represent the people. One thing ifound really quite distasteful and disturbing is how number 10 has tried to suggest that parliament is against the people. I think that sort of language is the language used by despotic people around the world and doesnt do the leader of a democracy any service, and i think people watching this programme, the British Public should reject that sort of division that the Prime Minister has tried to sell. That is pretty tough criticism. Two issues. The first is we are in this position, the executive versus parliament, because of the bravado of the current Prime Ministerand of the bravado of the current Prime Minister and the attitude he has taken. I would minister and the attitude he has taken. Iwould remind minister and the attitude he has taken. I would remind friends here that under the former Prime Minister we did reach out to the opposition. We we re we did reach out to the opposition. We were engaged in meaningful discussions with the opposition. No, no, i dont believe that, no. We we re no, i dont believe that, no. We were working to find a way through. The idea we should stop talking about parliament versus the people, iagree, about parliament versus the people, i agree, some of the language has been out of order and we should all have a responsibility to speak in measured tones. How can it be otherwise when the british people who voted three and a half years ago to leave the eu, sees parliament stopping what they voted for from actually happening . Lets be fair, brexiteers stop i try to. Liberal democrats have always been consistent but brexiteers cant agree what it means. They have been disagreeing with each other. But also, the parliament is also elected by the same electorate that voted in the 2016 referendum. There has been a general election and a European Election since that referendum and they have thrown up results that tend to suggest that maybe there isnt the firm a majority for leave that you are currently, you have described, you are described as someone with bravado, has suggested. I wholly disagree that the previous premise that reached out to the opposition. She may have reached out to the labour party right at the very end of the day. Im sure you will have comments to make about that, jenny, but what i can tell you is she never reached out to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government made clear from day one it would never. It was the first government in these islands to put forward a proposal for how brexit might be done by way of a compromise. That was ignored. Every time the Scottish Government, and parliament, not just the time the Scottish Government, and parliament, notjust the snp, the Scottish Parliament have taken steps to try to protect scotland from the consequences of the tories machinations, they have been frustrated by your comment. That is reflected in the polls in scotland and the polls over the weekend, which now show a majority of people in scotland want a second independence referendum and would vote yes if there was one. independence referendum and would vote yes if there was one. I will bring andrew back in because the snps sister party, plaid cymru, and i willjoin vicki with a plaid cymru mp. The view from plaid cymru, one of those pushing for a second referendum. The queens speech today, all eyes on whether Boris Johnson can secure a brexit deal. Is there any kind of brexit deal you would vote for . We know today that this is so much electoral real claptrap, this is so much electoral real cla ptrap, frankly. Eve rybodys expectations is what needs to be done with brexit. Because my Party Supports and has always supported eight people is a vote, we will need something to put on that vote. That is what we should be talking about. Peoples vote. This is so much noise and noises off when we are talking about a matter of days. Come saturday, when this place will be sitting, very unusually on a saturday, if borisjohnson has secured a deal, what would you propose to do then . Whatever happens on saturday, one way or the other, what i sincerely hope will happen is they will be a means of putting down either on the face of the bill or as an amendmenta either on the face of the bill or as an amendment a confirmatory referendum, so we then go back to the country. Because we know how dividing this is for everybody and now that we know, certainly we know what theresa may was proposing, we know a lot more about what remain actually means, we dont yet know what the Prime Minister is proposing and im not sure if number10 does or if it is Different Things to different people. If you have something clear to offer on that, but nonetheless, the bottom line is that people out there need a vote on their future. You say and you think that a referendum would sort this divisive issue. Surely it is the opposite, isnt it . To rerun a referendum when we already had one, and this place has been unable to deliver on the original result, how will holding a second help . We had a referendum in 2016, an election in 2017, only two years before the one previously. We know now far more than we knew in 2016. For more than we ever thought we would ever want to know. It seems to me that if we are looking to affect and influence our children and grandchildrens future, now there is a clear offer on the table, it be that an offer from the past, whatever, that the prime minstercan from the past, whatever, that the prime minster can cook up between now and wednesday, two days from now, if there is something clear then surely everyone, now we know what is being offered, will deserve to have a say on that. Thank you very much indeed. That throws ahead to saturday where their looks set to bea to saturday where their looks set to be a move to try to get another referendum. The big question, have the numbers shifted . Referendum. The big question, have the numbers shifted . Because previously the option was rejected by the house of commons. Thanks very much. Here is the scene in whitehall, the queens carriage has just passed through horse guard arch and has now come well on its way down whitehall to pass the Senate Health and approach Parliament Square. It has been the focus of so many protests on brexit, Climate Change and many other things but today Parliament Square is rather quieter because the police have cleared away a lot of the crowds who have been there over the last few months. Certainly, a very High Temperature among many protesters and demonstrators we have been meeting in Parliament Square and surrounding Parliament Since the start of the year, i suppose. Parliament since the start of the year, isuppose. People Parliament Since the start of the year, i suppose. People will regularly be there protesting what is going on. The queen approaching, and there we have the site of the cenotaph which is the focus of the United Kingdom on remembrance sunday which will be next month. Passing downing street just on which will be next month. Passing downing streetjust on the left there, passing borisjohnsons residents for the past few months. Past the Scottish Office at dover house and the welsh office as i may say so. And the entire geography of whitehall including the department of health on the right hand side and the Foreign Office and the treasury in the left hand side. And the great sight of the. The taxi light in the foreground and then the household cavalry, the lifeguards, the red tunics, white blooms, gleaming helmets, and the magnificent horses making their way towards the palace of westminster itself. The guard of honour provided at the palace of westminster by the 1st battalion welsh guards. The band of the welsh guards. Major Stuart Halliday is the director of music for the welsh guards who would be conducting the band. The National Anthem will be sounded as the queen passes the st stephens entrance. We have a Representative Group of the Royal Marines there on the left as well as part of the street minders. National anthem plays the band of the welsh guards playing the National Anthem for the queen. As you can see there are clearly inside the Diamond Jubilee state coach, accompanied by the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwell. The Major General commanding all of the Household Division today, and as soon as the queen arrives inside the houses of parliament, crossing inside into the sovereigns entrance and the vast archway that leads into it. There will be an immediate fanfare. Fanfare and one of the immediate signs that the queen has arrived at the palace of westminster will be seen above the victoria tower, where the union flag will soon be replaced, it will be taken down and replaced with the Royal Standard. And that will take place in a few moments time. And then the world will know that the queen is inside the palace of westminster, one of the royal palaces, and there has been a royal palaces, and there has been a royal palace at the sight of the palace of westminster for around 1000 years. The oldest part of the palace which survived the great fire in 1834 is Westminster Hall, which is one of the great spaces at the palace itself. The Royal Standard now flying. And inside the royal gallery, we have the doors of the robing room, just to the left of the porch as we look at it. And we have the earl marshal, the duke of norfolk, the man there on the right will be ready for the queens arrival in a few moments. The queen has very wisely taken a quicker route up to the norman porch and not use the staircase. Her majesty being greeted by the earl marshal and being led into the robing room itself where she will then take place in the state procession into the house of lords. The ladies in waiting following. And while this is going on, lots of activity going on in the rest of palace. If we go down to the side of the house of commons, we will have our first sight of the day of the speaker who will be making his way as well. And there we have the inspector of police, waiting for the speakers procession through the central lobby, the daily occurrence at the palace of westminster. Speaker just the announcement that the speakers procession just the announcement that the spea kers procession is just the announcement that the speakers procession is on its way. We are seeing the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall making their way into the robing room. At some point the prince of wales will be there. Strangers hats off, strangers the command from the metropolitan Police Officer there. The mace bearer and the speaker, john bercow, who has played a prominent and its fairto who has played a prominent and its fair to say controversial role in the political process of the last few years. He is making his way down through the members lobby of the house of commons into the chamber of the house of commons itself. Speaker there will then be the usual daily prayers by the speakers chaplin. Speaker no one in any doubt that they speaker is approaching after all of those shouts. Some members of the commons lining the way with officers of the elementary stuff as well. And Winston Churchill on the left, David Lloyd George on the right, the two great Prime Ministers flanking the entrance to the house of commons. Speaker approaches the chair. In what is his last state opening given that he has announced his retirement plans. Back in the royal gallery. We are awaiting the queen and the prince of wales for the royal procession. There we have our first sight of black rod, the lady usher of the black rod, the First Time Ever of the 650 year history of the post, sarah clarke, responsible for security and management in the house of lords. Formally taking on the duty in 2018, so herfirst of lords. Formally taking on the duty in 2018, so her first clean speech as well. Interestingly for sarah clarke, speech as well. Interestingly for sarah clarke, queens speech. She was previously director of the chanting chips at the all England Tennis Club where she was in charge of the championships. No stranger to complex events that this will be a rather different experience. And at the entrance to the robing room we have the state trumpeters who will be ready to announce the start of the procession itself, there they are in their medieval uniform. Unchanged for hundreds of years. Ready for the signal from the earl marshal and the marquis of. This scene we are about to enjoy, at texas about that takes us back many centuries, it is a statement of the sovereigns authority. A position to the city of london in days gone by including the herald and the gentlemen at arms and all of the other people. And the symbol of the other people. And the symbol of the sovereigns authority, in this case the imperial state crown, the cap of maintenance and sword of state, but the procession is unchanged in centuries. Lord lord houghton, taking the sword of state today. And opposite him, baroness evans of bowes park, leader of the house of lords. They are the senior peers. They are performing the duty of carrying the regalia today. The state trumpeter is sharply focused on the on the marquis of cholmondeley and the duke of norfolk who will be giving the symbol to start the symbol itself. Procession itself. Statues of previous monarchs in the fat gallery corner, and the great paintings of wellingtons great victories, they dominated the royal gallery. It is neutral ground here, if you like, not part of the partisan areas, including the house of commons and the precincts of the commons. It is used by peers to greet guests and even socialise some days. Always a highlight to any visit of the palace of westminster to have a trip through the royal gallery, which in normal times does not have this seating at all. Its a great open expanse and its one of the most impressive and splendid spacesin the most impressive and splendid spaces in the palace itself, which is saying something. The robing room itself, with its our theory and portraits, is a beautiful room. The arthurian portraits. I listened to an address by president carter previously, he is just to an address by president carter previously, he isjust one to an address by president carter previously, he is just one of the former heads of state who has given an address either in the robing room or the royal gallery itself. Some heads of state have been allowed to address both houses of parliament in Westminster Hall, that seems to be an even greater honour because of the historical resonance of Westminster Hall itself. We are within seconds, i think, of the queens emergence of the robing room and the fanfare by the state trumpeters to tell us that the state opening of parliament of 2019 is to get under way. The guards of honour provided by the owner of the guide in the royal gallery still in place after they marched in well over half an hour ago. The heralds, facing the robing room as we look, ready to turn and lead into the Princes Chamber, into the house of lords, and we will see the house of lords, and we will see the gentlemen at arms as well featuring in that procession a little later on. We will have the heads of the armed forces, the air force and navy, and the army, and they will be taking part, as well. And we will see some of the senior political leaders will be gathered in the house of lords when the queens speech gets under way. One of the most dramatic and familiar sections of the heavy is when the queen arrives in the house of lords and gives the signal. That is one of the new black rod, sarah clarke, will get her attempt to go down and savour the atmosphere, if you like, in the house of commons and see what kind of atmosphere she gets when she arrives there in a few minutes time to summon the speaker and the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition. And they will all walk together through the central lobby and up to the bar of the house of lords, the Entrance Point of the house of lords, to witness the speech itself. Fanfare marquess of cholmondeley, whose job it is today to carry the crown, normally one by the queen, but not today. To carry the crown at the head of the procession. There we have the queens official consort today, the prince of wales. He will be 71 next month. Having served almost a lifetime as a heir to the throne and also as prince of wales. The queen, who has attended so many of these estate openings, apart from a few over the years, but the vast majority of them. She will know exactly where every Single Member of the pageantry exactly where every Single Member of the pagea ntry and exactly where every Single Member of the pageantry and the ceremonial is meant to be and has a very sharp eye for the detail of the entire thing. Im told that she misses nothing along the way there will be lots of nerves along the way among the yeomen and others about exactly where they are standing and exactly how they hold themselves. The trainbearers who have been specially chosen and we have the principal members of the possession including the captain of the gentlemen at arms and the captain of the yeomen of the guard, who also feature in the procession today. Passing the gentlemen at arms who are lining the Princes Chamber, providing the guard of honour. The Princes Chamber a short walk past the statue of Queen Victoria just on the left there, past the portrait of henry viii and the other tudor monarchs, and into this magnificent chamber of the house of lords. The masterpiece of barry and pugin. The queen will approach and take her place on the throne of the house of lords with the prince of wales next to her. The crown will be placed on the table, the duchess of cornwall will take her place on the state chair that has been put there on the right hand side, and the first thing we will hear from the side, and the first thing we will hearfrom the queen side, and the first thing we will hear from the queen is an invitation to the members of the house of lords and guests to be seated. My my lords, pray be seated. The crown being placed. The queen will signal her approval for black rod. Marquess of cholmondeley places the signal with his stave of office, and the signal has been received by the lady usher of the black rod, sarah clarke, in herfirst estate opening. A very big moment for her. Taking pa rt a very big moment for her. Taking part in one of the most famous pieces of parliamentary ceremonial that we have. Making her way down from the central lobby. Black rod black rod is announced, and approaching the members lobby of the house of commons where the members congregate. And approaching the door of the commons, which will be slammed in her face of the commons, which will be slammed in herface as of the commons, which will be slammed in her face as a of the commons, which will be slammed in herface as a sign of of the commons, which will be slammed in her face as a sign of the authority of the house of commons. Three very firm knox. Black rod she enters. Will there be any heckling . There might be black rod mr speaker, the queen commands this honourable house. To attend her majesty immediately in the house of peers. Some words of dissent, and no prizes for guessing who they came from. Dennis skinner, the labour veteran mpfor dennis skinner, the labour veteran mp for bolsover. And there we have for the first time Boris Johnson mp for bolsover. And there we have for the first time borisjohnson as Prime Minister walking with Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition on this queens speech day. Ian blackford of the snp, members of the cabinet and the labour front bench, including john mcdonnell. All of them walking, not quite in a rush but certainly there is always a bit of jostling, i have but certainly there is always a bit ofjostling, i have to say, when it gets to the middle and back of the queue because they know if they dontjust so queue because they know if they dont just so they wont get anywhere near the house of lords. Andrea leadsom, sajid javid, the chancellor. He says hell deliver a budget next month. Laura, bit of chatting going on. The Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, it doesnt look like they are agreeing on very much. Borisjohnson they are agreeing on very much. Boris johnson trying they are agreeing on very much. Borisjohnson trying to have a chinwag and Jeremy Corbyns eyes very much fixed forward. They have even less in common thanJeremy Corbyn had with theresa may there you have the crush. Look at it. 650 mps are trying to get out of the house of commons all at the same time. By traditions and will stay behind in the commons. Tackle alice from the michael ellis, james cleverly. Nicky morgan. And here we are. So here we have the new lord chancellor, robert buckland, who has the speech in his ceremonial purse. He will present it to the queen. Steps back one and then turns around. My lords and members of the house of commons. My my governments priority has always been to secure a United Kingdoms departure from the European Union on the 31st of october. My government intends to work towards a new partnership with the European Union based on free trade and friendly cooperation. My ministers will work to implement new regimes, fisheries, agriculture and trade. Seizing the opportunities that arise from leaving the European Union. And immigration bill ending Free Movement will lay the foundation for afair, movement will lay the foundation for a fair, modern and global immigration system. My government remains committed to ensuring that resident european citizens who have built their lives in, and contributed so much to, the United Kingdom have the right to remain. The bill will include measures that reinforce this commitment. Steps will be taken to provide certainty, stability, and new opportunities for the Financial Services and legal sectors. My governments round new economic plan will be underpinned by irresponsible fiscal strategy, investing in Economic Growth while maintaining the sustainability of the public finances. Measures will be brought forward to support and strengthen the National Health service, its workforce and resources , service, its workforce and resources, enabling it to deliver the highest quality care. New laws will be taken forward to help implement the National Health services a Long Term Plan in england. And to establish an independent body to investigate Serious Health care incidents. My government will bring forward proposals to reform adult social ca re proposals to reform Adult Social Care in england, to ensure it dignity in old age. My ministers will continue work to reform the Mental Health act to improve respect for, and care of, those receiving treatment. My government is committed to addressing Violent Crime and to strengthening Public Confidence in the criminalJustice System. Confidence in the criminaljustice syste m. N ew confidence in the criminalJustice System. New sentencing laws will see that the most serious offenders spend longer in custody to reflect better the severity of their crimes. Measures will be introduced to improve the Justice Systems response to Foreign National offenders. My government will work to improve the safety and security in prisons, and to strengthen the rehabilitation of offenders. Proposes will be brought forward to ensure victims receive the support they need and the justice they deserve. Laws will be introduced to ensure that the parole system recognises the pain to victims and theirfamilies caused recognises the pain to victims and their families caused by offenders refusing to disclose information relating to their crimes. A new duty will be placed on Public Sector bodies, ensuring they Work Together to address serious violence. Police officers will be provided with the protections they need to keep the population safe. They will also be awarded the power to arrest individuals who are wanted by trusted International Partners. My government will bring forward measures to protect individuals, families, and their homes. Legislation will transform the approach of the Justice System and other agencies to victims of domestic abuse, and minimise the impact of divorce, particularly on children. My ministers will continue to develop proposals to improve internet safety, and will bring forward laws to implement new building safety standards. My ministers will ensure that all young people have access to an excellent education, unlocking their full potential and preparing them for the world of work. My my government will take steps to make work fairer, introducing measures that will support those working hard. To help people plan for the future, measures will be brought forward to provide simpler oversight of pension savings, to protect peoples savings for later life, new laws will provide greater powers to tackle irresponsible management of private pension schemes. To ensure that the benefits of the prospering economy reach every corner of the United Kingdom, my ministers will bring forward a National Infrastructure strategy. This will set out a long term vision to improve the nations digital, transport and energy infrastructure. New legislation will help accelerate the delivery of a fast and reliable and secure Broadband Networks to millions of homes. An aviation bill will provide for the effective and efficient management of United Kingdoms airspace. Proposals on Railway Reform will be brought forward. A white paper will publish, be published to set out my governments ambitions for unleashing regional potential in england and enable decisions that affect local people to be made at a local level. My government is committed to establishing the United Kingdom as a world leader in scientific capability and space technology. Increased investment in science will be complemented by the development of a new funding agency, a more open visa system and an ambitious National Space strategy. My ambitious National Space strategy. My ministers remain committed to protecting and improving the environment forfuture protecting and improving the environment for future generations. For the first time, environmental principles will be enshrined in law. Measures will be introduced to improve airand measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution, and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive. Legislation will also create a new legally binding environmental improvement targets. A new world leading independent regulator will be established in statute to scrutinise environmental policy and law. Investigate complaints, and to take enforcement action. Proposals will also be brought forward to promote and protect the welfare of animals including banning imports from trophy hunting. The integrity and prosperity of the union that binds the four nations of the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance to my government. My ministers will bring forward measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom. My government remains committed to working with all parties in Northern Ireland to support the return of devolved government and to address the legacy of the past. My government will take steps to protect the integrity of democracy and the electoral system in the United Kingdom. My government will continue to invest in our gallant armed forces. My ministers will honour the armed forces cove na nt will honour the Armed Forces Covenant and the nato commitment to spend at least 2 of National Income on defence. As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, my government will ensure that it continues to play a leading role in global affairs, continues to play a leading role in globalaffairs, defending continues to play a leading role in global affairs, defending its interests and promoting its values. My interests and promoting its values. My government will be at the forefront of efforts to solve the most complex International Security issues. It Will Champion global free trade and work alongside International Partners to solve the most pressing global challenges. It will prioritise tackling Climate Change and ensuring that all girls have access to 12 years of quality education. Members of the house of commons, estimates for the Public Services will be laid before you. My lords and members of the house of commons, other measures will be laid before you. I pray that the blessing of almighty god may rest upon your councils. Huw the lord chancellor approaches her majesty and take delivery of the speech, puts it back in the official purse, and makes his way back down the steps. The queen having delivered the queens speech to open this new session of parliament in 2019. The prince of wales looking on next to her majesty and the pages of honour are now ready for the procession back to the robing room where the queen will prepare to leave the palace of westminster and return to Buckingham Palace. Members of thejudiciary, very return to Buckingham Palace. Members of the judiciary, very prominent in the house of lords today. And the bishops, we saw glimpses of them earlier including the former bishop of london and others. Also taking their places. Many former government ministers from the house of commons who have become peers with a wealth of experience in terms of parliamentary and Political Affairs we spoke to two of them earlier, they Margaret Beckett who is in the house of commons and lord fowler. My guess is still with me here. Just a thought from laura, the content of the speech . A very long Shopping List of what Boris Johnson the speech . A very long Shopping List of what borisjohnson wants to do, some of the bread and butter issues, funding for schools or more money for the nhs or coming up with a way of caring for the elderly which is what successive governments have failed to deal with. Her majesty said with great certainty, we will be leaving the European Union, there is no way that anyone in the square mile can be sure that that will happen. Whether it happens or how it happened is a much bigger influence of anything we just heard. That was literally the first sentence of the speech. Indeed, it is the governments priority. But nothing that the government is setting out in legislation is making that less or more likely, it will come out after the outcome of talks this week in brussels and then what parliament does with a deal or lack of one in the next few days. As these moments of history unfold in front of us, this weekend we expect parliament to gather, most unusually, to make head or tail of what is happening next upright that will be on saturday. As you mentioned earlier, the first saturday sitting in more than 40 yea rs. Saturday sitting in more than 40 years. The mps making their way back to the house of commons as the queen makes her way back into the robing room. Lots of them including many backbenchers making their way back, diane abbott there, a frontbencher. The speakers diane abbott there, a frontbencher. The spea kers chaplin diane abbott there, a frontbencher. The speakers chaplin next to the Prime Minister. The rush back to the Commons Chamber because the debate on the queens speech will start in a short while. Sir alan duncan, dominic grieve, and here we have mr speaker, john bercow. His role in all of this, he is announced that he is going but his role in the Brexit Process has turned out to be very significant. Very significant and controversial. Lets be clear about what is happening the last few yea rs, what is happening the last few years, both sides of the argument have pushed the rules, lets put it that way. Many people who support brexit have suggested all thought very strongly thatjohn bercow has allowed the opposition parties and some conservatives who want to try to stay in the European Union to push the rules of parliament too far. Many people would dispute that, i assure he would i am sure he would dispute it if he ever gave interviews that she does very rarely. We have seen all sorts of conventions and president s being broken on both sides. Conventions and president s. Not just broken on both sides. Conventions and president s. Notjust on the borisjohnson but and president s. Notjust on the Boris Johnson but when theresa and president s. Notjust on the borisjohnson but when theresa may was still in parliament. When she was still in parliament. When she was Prime Minister, her government did not even want to give parliament a meaningful vote on how we were going to leave the European Union. That ended up in the Supreme Court which feels like a century ago, it was only january 2017. We are now set again for not only political clashes of Epic Proportions over the next few days, but it is quite likely that this will all end up in the courts. I would give a penny for theresa mays thoughts today. the courts. I would give a penny for theresa mays thoughts today. I can quite imagine. For her and her team, one of herformer quite imagine. For her and her team, one of her former team quite imagine. For her and her team, one of herformer team is quite imagine. For her and her team, one of her former team is sitting with us here today, they sweated blood and tears to come up with a deal with the European Union, it failed catastrophically to pass. It is possible that something not too dissimilar to her deal may well end up dissimilar to her deal may well end up being put before mps. Dissimilar to her deal may well end up being put before mp5. The difference being, which is frankly the reasons why conservatives dont like it very much, but it allowed borisjohnson to like it very much, but it allowed Boris Johnson to take like it very much, but it allowed borisjohnson to take his place in number10, is he borisjohnson to take his place in number 10, is he as chief cheerleader for brexit could sell it to this place. Given your experience of working with theresa may, not a penny for her thoughts, but just the idea that the deal that might emerge may well not be that different to the deal that mrs may worked so hard to put together and was comprehensively and repeatedly rejected. So for those of you who worked alongside, that could be rather galling, surely. worked alongside, that could be rather galling, surely. Iwouldnt say galling. I think it was a very good deal that she worked very hard with others to put before the house, as laura so kindly reminded us, it catastrophically failed to pass on many occasions. However this is not going to be the same deal. It is going to be the same deal. It is going to be a different deal, its being worked on right now in negotiations between the British Government and the European Union andl government and the European Union and i think it no attorney can pass but it has to pass so we can get over this it not only can pass but it has to pass so we can get on with pushing through this agenda. There could be something in the speech that you can support. there could be something in the speech that you can support. I am also people who are dangerous criminals are staying in present longer but i feel like this is a government out of steam already when its only just started. Government out of steam already when its onlyjust started. We have got some residual work on the withdrawal built around fisheries, agriculture and trade, nothing on alleviating poverty, nothing on productivity, nothing on the causes of crime, nothing on the causes of crime, nothing on the causes of crime, nothing on early years education. They were talking about sentencing, fine, but then can we do our real jobs, please . The queenjust thanking those who have been taking pa rt thanking those who have been taking part in the state opening today as she always does. This is a moment i must say when we certainly missed the presence of the duke of edinburgh who was very keen to thank people at this point. As i said earlier, no longer undertaking public duties of that kind. You are telling us about some of the things you thought you wish to should have beenin you thought you wish to should have been in the speech, i will ask you the same thing, joanna, there must be things in this that you can happily vote for. I welcome the idea that there should be consequences for those who irresponsibly manage private pension funds. I would also like to see some money for the waspy women who have been overlooked. If this speech had not been read out by the queen, it might as well have just been a Party Political broadcast by the conservative party. It is very much a domestic policy agenda apart from the first sentence, ignoring the elephant in the room, brexit, iagree with sentence, ignoring the elephant in the room, brexit, i agree with what laura says about that. No recognition of the needs or requirements of scotland in relation to for example immigration. It is well documented that scotland in particular requires immigration and benefits from freedom of movement. We have a bill to remove freedom of movement. That is not progressive, it is regressive. I will come to you ina it is regressive. I will come to you in a moment, your take on the speech first . Disappointing, iwould in a moment, your take on the speech first . Disappointing, i would like to see far more on Climate Change. End he put it at the end. It should have been right in the middle of the speech. I think the measures on education were very poor. If we tackle the education issues in our country we need to spend more money on it, look at issues like Early Learning and child care. Lots of issues which the liberal democrats would have had which were completely absent. To be honest this is a fa nta sy absent. To be honest this is a fantasy queens speech. Ive never known a queens speech where its less likely to be enacted. We all know that this is just behind the backdrop of brexit and as we said earlier, the key issues, will brexit be implemented . I dont think this Prime Minister will be able to do that unless he genuinely works with the parties and we have not seen that from him before. The queen is leaving. Fanfare music god save the queen. So the sovereigns procession with the sovereigns escort of the household cavalry making its way back along the road to Parliament Square and along whitehall, through horse guards and back to Buckingham Palace, all of which signifies that the state opening of 2019 has been completed, theyll there are a few formalities still to come including, formalities still to come including, for example, the departure of the crown, which is about to take place with the controller of the lord chamberlain is office, michael vernon, who is new to this post and this was his first state opening. The crown will leave and so will the other insignia, the cap of maintenance and the sword of state. They will get a formal departure from the palace of westminster and that will be a formal end, if you like, of the state proceedings today. As a politics then kicks in again. I suppose at that point, for the conservatives, people are very happy to recognise around this table to date that there are elements which are attractive and desirable, evenif which are attractive and desirable, even if they dont get everything they would like to see because eve ryo ne they would like to see because everyone has different political needs. Its just the deliverability of it, the reality or lack of reality of it, and given the circumstances we are in, you genuinely are not in a position to deliver any of this, given the current climate. That is what people find puzzling. Viewers should remember that this government was forced into this position by the house of commons refusing to grant the governments wishes to go to general election. We started the programme saying how it is usual to have a general election and then a queens speech, but we were precluded from doing that because the house of commons refused to go to the country to actually test what this government was offering. And so we are here today with a queens speech which will be difficult to deliver. Wouldnt it be great if we could . If we could deliver brexit on 31st of october and then deliver this ambitious and positive agenda for the country. And to return to joannas comments about ignoring the needs of the people of scotland, the immigration bill coming forward will bea immigration bill coming forward will be a positive immigration bill for the entire country. Freedom of movement is ending because we are leaving the eu, and that ends freedom of movement. I would like to see an expansion of the Seasonal Workers scheme pilot. Joanna is right, we actually do have needs and priorities in scotland that i different to the rest of the uk and thatis different to the rest of the uk and that is why i would like to see an expansion of the Seasonal Workers scheme, where we can attract workers to scotland that we need to keep the economy thriving and also scotland will benefit with the increased investment in the nhs and schools and infrastructure. That will uplift the budget for scotlands needs north of the border. As we see the regalia leaving, laura, iwill ask you point blank whether you think ed is justified in saying that this is a fa ntasy is justified in saying that this is a fantasy queens speech. Is it going too far . It is a colourful way of describing it but it is certainly a queens speech from a parallel universe where it borisjohnson. Laughter when borisjohnson laughter when Boris Johnson gets laughter when borisjohnson gets his way laughter when Boris Johnson gets his way and is able to get a deal with brussels definitely done by the end of this week, definitely through parliament on saturday with thumbs up, thumbs down a meaningful vote. Definitely getting through all the brexit legislation that has to happen after that and then definitely being able to get his way and have a general election within a few weeks and then definitely getting a conservative majority. A lot of hurdles to get overin majority. A lot of hurdles to get over in that downing street dream scenario. I think we shouldnt dismiss too much the idea that this just mean anything just doesnt mean anything. It means this is what we are likely to see as the basis of a conservative manifesto in the election that will come sooner rather than later. But i would caution everyone at the moment is working on could it be december five, the last week of november we will get into an election . Eggs have been so topsy turvy over the last few weeks, some people are saying they dont think it will happen this side of christmas. The conventional wisdom is that it will, because the government doesnt want to go on like this. There is a suggestion, particularly among the opposition parties, that the snp is keen to push for a vote of no confidence to have a general election work rapidly that the labour party is. Are tensions there. But nothing is certain, nothing at all. What is your hunch on election timing, jenny . I think laura might have a point, but my sense is, having listened to that, that is clearly pitch to the country, weak though it is, and pitch to the country, weak though it is, and i think we need an election and it needs to happen fairly shortly. Labour will eventually say they want one. We just want to prevent no deal. This has all been about making sure this Prime Minister doesnt take us off a cliff. Once that is assured, however at that assurance may come about, we have got to have an election and move the country forward. That queens speech will not do it and people need chance to pick something better. On saturday, what will mps, what will you be asked to do on saturday . What is the function of saturday . What is the function of saturday . If the Prime Minister brings back a deal, that will be debated and voted upon and subsequent to that vote depends an awful lot. If he doesnt have a deal, he is required under the benn act, which had cross party support, to ask the house of commons if they wa nt to ask the house of commons if they want no deal. I am pretty sure that will be rejected because it will be absolutely disastrous for our country. And then he will be forced by parliament to ask the eu for an extension. If he does that, the real question then is, is it election or referendum . Liberal democrats believe the referendum is a better option to solve the question. It paralysed our country. A general election inevitably involves other issues. A referendum is a clear country. Whether there is a deal or not a deal, that clearly is the right way so we can put this back to the people with all of what we know now and then bring this to a head and get it done. Saturday, what is likely to happen . I agree with ed about what the Prime Minister is bound to do in terms of the benn act and of course he has given a solemn assurance to the court in edinburgh that he will not only do what he is required to do under the benn act, but he will not seek to frustrate its purpose. All this nonsense that people like Andrea Leadsom have come out with about sending a letter requesting an extension and another letter saying we dont really want one, that would fly against the promise the Prime Minister has given to the court. The court have held the hearing open to the first working day after the 19th, so myself and my colleagues who have raised this position can go back to court on if the premise that breaks his promise. Once the extension is in the bag we would like to see a general election. This queens speech talked about the government caring about prosperity and integrity of the union. If they cared about that, they would listen to what voters in scotland want and what Scotlands Parliament want. They dont, we are sick of this, we wa nt they dont, we are sick of this, we want a general election and want to move towards a second independence referendum. I will come to andrew for a final word in a second. I want to go to vicki in the central lobby with caroline lucas. The view from the green mp caroline lucas. What is your priority this week and particularly on saturday when the house of commons will be sitting . My priority right now in the wake of the queens speech is on Climate Change if i can say a few words about that first. Important though brexit is, the Climate Emergency is the real question of life and death on this planet and we have just had six words in a sub clause, that is all that was avoided to the queen in her speech by Boris Johnson. All that was avoided to the queen in her speech by borisjohnson. That lets down young people massively. Looking forward to saturday, of course the big issue is whether we can geta course the big issue is whether we can get a peoples vote on that brexit deal. It is important this goes back to the people for a final say. Do you think the numbers in the house of commons have changed . The option of another referendum has been rejected by the house of commons. It got very close, it was within touching distance. I think now we are even closer to the cliff edge, i think more and more mps are now accepting from both sides of the house, that the right thing to do and the way to get a majority is to put the deal back to the people. Would you be willing to support a ca reta ker would you be willing to support a caretaker Prime Minister, orJeremy Corbyn, in the event borisjohnson is voted down in a vote of no confidence . Is voted down in a vote of noconfidence . I have always said that i think jeremy noconfidence . I have always said that i thinkJeremy Corbyn as leader of the official opposition ought to be given opportunity to lead the tip lead the caretaker government. This is about the National Interest which right now is to make sure that letter gets sent to get an extension to article 50. I think the National Interest is about getting a confirm a trick referendum on the deal and if by doing that we need to support Jeremy Corbyn i would be pleased to do that. Eight confirmatory referendum. A few days of debate before the house of commons sits again on saturday. Vicki, thank you and thanks to all your guests. A couple of minutes to go. I want a sentence from each of my guests and then we will end with my colleague laura on how they would sum up today. What has today amounted to, andrew . Quite exciting. It set out an ambitious, forward looking one nation agenda for the scotland we wa nt nation agenda for the scotland we want once we have delivered brexit on 31st of october. Are meaningless and expensive distraction from the broken politics of brexit britain. Concise and clear, thank you. think this is intended to be the firing of the starting pistol at the beginning of a general election campaign. He has fired a blank, there is not enough there and the country deserves better than this. Thank you. Read. This was a Boris Johnson stunt. Discourteous to her majesty. It shows i think to your viewers that we have a Prime Minister who cannot be trusted. When does it leave us for the days to come, laura, because we have this so its coming up . How do you see the rest of the week playing out . There will be a couple of days when mps will be a couple of days when mps will scream and shout over the measures being put forward in the queens speech come but all eyes are on what will happen at the conclusion of the important summit in brussels at the end of this week, before a mega day, super saturday, here when mps will try to find a way forward. Given the difficulties they have had doing that over the last couple of years i wouldnt expect they will suddenly be an outbreak of peace and harmony. We will see. Ok. Thank you very much. Thanks to all of you for being so constructive and being very happy to admit the politics together with pageantry because it is not always easy to do. That is it from westminster for now. We are inside the house of lords, just a stones throw from the chamber where it all took place. Thanks to all our guests. Coverage of the debate on the queens speech will continue on the bbc news channel this afternoon. They will be plenty of detail on bbc news online on the individual things made in the queens speech. Plenty of material for you. Weve seen the first state opening of parliament for two years, but its at least possible that well see a second before the end of 2019. Lets see, shall we . From all of the bbc team at westminster, thanks for watching and goodbye. Youre watching bbc news. In a few moments well be joined by viewers on bbc two for continued coverage and reaction to the queens speech. The queen has outlined the legislative programme for the next session of parliament, outlining 26 bills. More than a third of them relating to departing from the eu. But whether we will indeed depart on 31st october is still unclear while negotiations continue in brussels this week and the chief negotiator for the eu saying a big gap remains over customs arrangements. In terms of what the queen outlined. There was bills on sentencing, immigration and railway franchising and education and the nhs. This is bbc news. Issues relating to crime and justice are the central elements of the governments agenda for the coming parliament, set out in the queens speech in the past hour. It took place amid efforts to reach a brexit deal before an eu summit this week. Among more than 20 bills are measures to provide better protection for victims of abuse and tougher sanctions against serious criminals. Other measures include strengthening environmental protections, reforming Adult Social Care and improving the nhs in england. But the queen opened her speech by reiterating the governments commitment to delivering brexit. My governments priority has always been to secure the United Kingdoms