16/11/2009

'Cancel Queen's Speech' Urges Clegg

Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg has called on the government to cancel the Queen's Speech to Parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Clegg said time would be better spent working on reforms to "clean up politics".

He claimed the Queen's Speech would be used mostly as a platform for Labour's election manifesto, given that there is little time to push through any real legislation before Britain goes to the polls next year.

Mr Clegg accused Labour of "hijacking" the Queen's Speech for "political ends".

However, Labour said "most" of the policies outlined by the Queen would become law, and were "very important".

The Lib Dem leader said the Government "must know in its heart of hearts that the vast majority of measures it will be proposing on Wednesday won't even make it into law".

Mr Clegg said the remaining 70 days before the Commons is dissolved should be used to "hand on a legacy to the next Parliament".

Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman told the BBC: "There is very important work ahead and that's why the Queen's Speech this week is going to be very significant."

She said influential measures would be implemented to curb "excessive risk taking" by city bankers, insisting Labour would not be "clocking-off" early when an election is not due until next year.

(PR/BMcC)

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