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Published 21:56 IST, October 14th 2019

Queen outlines plan for new session, calls Brexit a priority for govt

Queen Elizabeth II delivered her 65th Queen's Speech to Parliament where she outlined the plan and 22 proposed legislation of the government in the new session.

Reported by: Kunal Gaurav
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Queen Elizabeth II delivered her 65th Queen's Speech to Parliament where she outlined the plan and the 22 proposed legislation of the government in the new session. Though the speech is delivered by the Queen, she basically reads the speech written by the government. The Queen started her speech highlighting the government’s priority on Brexit. “My government's priority has always been to secure the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union on 31 October,” said the Queen. "My government intends to work towards a new partnership with the European Union, based on free trade and friendly cooperation," she added.

Assurance to immigrants

The Queen, emphasizing on the foundation for a fair, modern and global immigration system, assured the immigrants that they will have the right to remain in the United Kingdom.

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“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,” she said.

The Queen also touched upon the government’s plan for NHS and for a new independent body to investigate serious healthcare incidents. “Measures will be brought forward to support and strengthen the National Health Service, its workforce and resources, enabling it to deliver the highest quality care."

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Read: Royal Pomp: UK Tradition On Display For Parliament Opening

Borin Johnson’s message before the address

Ahead of Queen’s speech, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson elaborated on the motive of the government for the new session.

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“What we are trying to do is implement the result of the 2016 referendum, the largest democratic exercise ever conducted in the history of this country,” said Johnson addressing the people of the UK.

“And I think what is making people a bit fed up in the last three years is that the politician, us, Parliament has so far failed to implement the people’s will and that is I think the real failure of democracy,” he added.

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Tradition of Queen’s speech

It began with the Queen's procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. The Black Rod, Queen's representative in Parliament, were then sent to summon the House of Commons. The door of House of Commons, as practice symbolizing independence from the monarchy, was then shut in Queen’s face. Members of the Commons then followed Black Rod and the Commons Speaker to the Lords chamber, standing at the opposite end to the Throne to listen to the speech.

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Read: UK MP Shailesh Vara Explains Why He Deserves The Speaker's Chair

21:28 IST, October 14th 2019