The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Queen’s Speech in limbo as negotiations rumble on
Opposition parties claim Government isinchaosover talks with DUP
Ministers say they do not know if the Queen’s Speech can be delivered on time because of post-election talks between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party.
The set-piece event is scheduled to take place on Monday.
A senior minister has said he was “optimistic” the two parties will reach an agreement in the coming days to allow a proposed Tory minority government to get its plans for the year ahead through.
Earlier, sources said it would be delayed but First Secretary of State Damian Green said he “can’t confirm anything yet”.
Labour said the Government was “in chaos”.
The Queen’s Speech is written by the government and presents an outline of its planned legislation for the next Parliamentary session.
Mr Green cited the ongoing negotiations when he was asked if next Monday’s speech had been put back.
“I can’t confirm anything yet until we know the final details of the agreement,” he said.
“We know those talks are going well and also we know that, at this very important time, we want to produce a substantial Queen’s Speech.”
One of the reasons for the delay is also believed to be because the speech has to be written on goat’s skin parchment, which takes a few days to dry – and the negotiations mean it cannot be ready in time.
Although it is rare for a Queen’s Speech to be delayed, when the Conservatives and Lib Dems formed a
This is an utter humiliation for Theresa May
coalition government in 2010, it did not take place until 20 days after the general election while in 1992 nearly a month elapsed between polling day and the Government announcing its new programme.
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: “This is an utter humiliation for Theresa May.
“It is time to stop trying to cling to power and time to admit enough is enough.”
In a ceremonial change, the Queen is due to deliver her speech at Westminster wearing a day dress and hat and not the traditional Imperial State Crown and grand robes.
The carriage procession carrying the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to and from the Palace of Westminster has now been replaced with a car journey.
As the State Opening of Parliament was due to be held two days after the Trooping the Colour ceremony, it was deemed unfeasible for the military and the Royal Mews to stage two major events in such a short period.