Queen's Speech
News, features and resources on the 2007 State Opening of Parliament - 6 November 2007
Government lays down reform programme
- The Houses of Parliament
The Government has set out its programme for reform in the first Queen's Speech of Gordon Brown's premiership.
Education, housing, health and the environment topped the bill in the Queen's traditional annual address at the State Opening of Parliament.
- Read the transcript
- See a full list of Bills, Draft Bills and statements
- PM's July statement on legislative programme
Why do we have the Queen's Speech?
The Queen's Speech is delivered from the Throne in the House of Lords. The speech is drawn up by the Government and approved by the Cabinet. The content is then debated in both houses.
Follow the links below for more background information on the State Opening which takes place this year on Tuesday 6 November.
State Opening - what happens?
Find out what exactly happens in this most traditional of ceremonies
Pomp and circumstance
Some interesting facts from Parliament's most colourful day
Black Rod
Black Rod is one of Parliament's best known characters