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Queen Elizabeth Outlines Britain's Coalition Government Plans

   VOA News 25 May 2010
   Britain's  Queen  Elizabeth  II  holds  the hand of her husband Prince
   Philip  as  she  arrives  deliver  the  Queen's speech in the House of
   Lords,  during  the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster, 25 May
   2010

Photo: AP

   Britain's  Queen  Elizabeth  II  holds  the hand of her husband Prince
   Philip  as  she  arrives  deliver  the  Queen's speech in the House of
   Lords,  during  the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster, 25 May
   2010

   Queen  Elizabeth has officially opened Britain's parliament, outlining
   laws  drafted  by  the  new coalition government led by Prime Minister
   David Cameron.
   Queen  Elizabeth  said  Tuesday  the  government's  top priority is to
   "reduce the deficit and restore economic growth."
   The queen also said the coalition government, led by the Conservatives
   along  with  the  Liberal  Democrats,  plan  to  introduce at least 21
   parliamentary bills during the next 18 months.
   Within  days,  the  coalition government is to abolish a controversial
   program requiring foreign nationals to carry identification cards.
   Another proposal by the new government ensures that parliament and the
   British  people  will  be  able  to voice opinions "about any proposed
   transfer of powers to the European Union."
   The  official  opening  of a new parliamentary session in Britain is a
   time-honored tradition.
   The  custom  dates  back  to  centuries  when the British monarchy and
   parliament were on less cordial terms.
   The queen officially appointed Mr. Cameron prime minister earlier this
   month, shortly after his predecessor, Gordon Brown of the Labor Party,
   resigned.
   The Conservatives have not led Britain since 1997.

   Some information for this report was provided by APand AFP.

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