Queen EU hat trick!
Queen races through plans for new laws before speedy change into an Ascot outfit
THE Queen wore a cheeky hat that echoed the EU flag as she opened Parliament yesterday – then she hot-footed it to Royal Ascot.
May is forced to abandon the Tory manifesto HER Maj gave one of the quickest Queen’s Speeches in history before hot-footing it to Ascot.
And Theresa May prepared a “threadbare” list of proposed legislation for yesterday’s State Opening of Parliament.
Eight of the 27 proposed new laws presented in just nine minutes focused on Brexit. The Prime Minister was accused of “ripping up” her manifesto after removing controversial pledges.
Lifting a ban on new grammar schools and plans to axe free school meals were dropped.
The social care “dementia tax” and proposals to end a 2.5% automatic pensions rise were also scrapped.
The speech included plans to battle terrorism, ban landlords from charging letting fees and fight domestic violence.
A proposed State visit to London in October by US President Donald Trump was not mentioned in the speech.
Spirit
But Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson later confirmed it would go ahead.
Labour MP Dennis Skinner made an Ascot-related gag when Parliamentary official Black Rod summoned MPs to the speech.
He quipped: “Get your skates on – the first race is half past two.”
Mocking Mrs May’s plans, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said it was “a threadbare programme”.
Mrs May hit back: “It’s been an unsettling time, which has tested the spirit of our country, but we are a resilient country.”
With temperatures in London soaring to 34C, the Queen would have been grateful she did not have to wear her crown.
The snap General Election meant there was not enough time to rehearse the usual Queen’s Speech ceremony.