A 19 DAY WAIT FOR DEMOCRACY?

The delay in reaching a deal with the DUP means the Queen’s Speech, part of the State Opening of Parliament and a key constitutional requirement, could also be delayed.

It was scheduled for 19 June, but because the Queen is supposed to attend Ascot for the rest of next week, it could be delayed until 26 June.

If so, 19 days will passed from election to the government unveiling its programme, during which time MPS can’t hold debates and the government can’t show it commands the confidence of parliament though a vote.

The last time it took as long was after the October election in 1974, which heralded five years of unstable minority government.

In comparison, it took just five days to negotiate the coalition agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats when there was last a hung parliament in 2010.