What can we expect from the Queen’s Speech; the centrepiece of today’s State Opening of Parliament? So far as policy is concerned, it’s doubtful whether there’ll be any surprises. The Times has a great round-up of the measures likely to be contained in what’s being spun as a “fairness” programme, and most have been trailed weeks and months in advance of today. Perhaps one thing to look out for is the emphasis that’s placed on welfare reform. It’s top of the Times’s list of measures, but there has been some rumbling on the Westminster grapevine that Brown would play it down – or perhaps even jettison it – because it’s a difficult sell to make during the downturn.
But we’re expecting more than just policy announcements and pomp today. The arrest of Damian Green – and what is entails for Parliament – has given this State Opening a particularly volatile backdrop. Michael Martin is going to give a statement on the matter at around 1430, but will it be enough to stave off the backbenchers baying for his blood? Will we see any kind of protest action during the speech itself? And what – if anything – does David Davis have planned? The Queen’s speech kicks off at around 1130 (full timetable here), so we’ll have more answers from then onwards. Join us on Coffee House for live coverage.
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