Queen Elizabeth II announced several new pieces of legislation to reform Britain's justice system, in a ceremonial speech setting out Prime Minister Boris Johnson's post-Brexit plans on Monday, days before the deadline for the prime minister to clinch a last-ditch deal with the European Union.

The so-called Queen's Speech is the highlight of a day of elaborate pageantry in Westminster and is used to detail all the bills the government wants to enact in the coming year. It is written for the 93-year-old monarch by the government.

However, with Brexit unresolved and any plans beyond even the next seven days likely subject to an unpredictable election, rival parties said Johnson was misusing the politically neutral Queen for political gain.

The Queen's Speech laid out 26 new bills – pieces of proposed legislation – including several covering tougher treatment for foreign criminals and sex offenders, and new protection for victims of domestic abuse.

She also announced bills to protect animal welfare, fight plastic pollution and support the state-run National Health Service.

There were several bills relating to changes as a result of Brexit, and a restatement that the government's goal is to leave the EU on 31 October.

Opposition parties dismissed the package as electioneering rather than a serious plan to be acted on, because of the looming Brexit deadline, Johnson's lack of a majority in parliament and the overwhelming likelihood of a general election.

"Having the Queen's Speech and the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow is ludicrous, utterly ludicrous," Corbyn said in a Sky News interview broadcast on Sunday. "What we've got in effect is a party political broadcast from the steps of the throne."

The Queen delivered the speech from a throne in parliament's gilded House of Lords debating chamber. The speech is subject to several days of debate, concluding with votes to approve it. While not an official vote of confidence, these could be used to further destabilize Johnson's minority government.

The Queen's Speech is already surrounded by controversy. In September, Johnson tried to suspend parliament for about five weeks before the speech, only to be told by the Supreme Court the move was unlawful after opponents said he was trying to shut down debate on Brexit.

Johnson was accused of dragging the Queen into the Brexit crisis by asking her to suspend the legislature for longer than usual.

Having been forced back to parliament by the court ruling last month, Johnson has maintained he needed a Queen's Speech to allow him to set out his plans for government – even while trying, and failing, to call an early election.

(With input from Reuters)