UK new parliament opens as Brexit dominates agenda

World
Europe

(Updated 20:50 BJT)

Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday said her government will make a "success of Brexit," as she formally opened parliament by announcing the government's program for the next two years.

"Brexit" dominates the agenda

The government's priority is to secure the best possible Brexit deal, the British monarch said.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sits with her son Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales in the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament in the Houses of Parliament in London on June 21, 2017. /VCG Photo

The country is facing an uncertain future as the negotiations between the British government and the European Union over Brexit started on Monday.

"Government will introduce a repeal bill to bring EU law into British legislation," said the Queen, adding that the government is committed to building the "widest possible consensus" on Brexit, working with parliament, devolved administrations, business and other stake holders.

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (3R) and Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (2L) after listening to the Queen's Speech on June 21, 2017. /VCG Photo

In a speech afterward, British PM Theresa May also pledged that her government would win a Brexit deal that commands "maximum public support," while trying to strengthen the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Non-Brexit proposals

The Queen also said the government will establish a commission to counter extremists as the country has been overshadowed by frequent terror attacks over the past few months.

The latest Finsbury Park mosque attack left one person dead and nine others hospitalized.

The government will also bring forward measures to introduce an independent public advocate to support disaster victims, according to the Queen, in a move responding to the Grenfell Tower fire in London which led to the deaths of at least 79 people.

The state opening of Parliament coincided with coordinated protests over conditions it is claimed led to the Grenfell Tower blaze.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) sits alongside her son Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, before delivering the Queen's Speech during the State Opening of Parliament in the Houses of Parliament in London on June 21, 2017. /VCG Photo

Other proposals including laws on immigration, international sanctions, nuclear safeguards,agriculture and fisheries are also on the list of government's program.

US president Trump's planned visit to Britain was notably not mentioned in the Queen's speech.

The delayed speech comes at a time when Prime Minister May faces increasing anger over the Conservative party's electoral setback and the talks with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to secure a parliamentary majority have been temporarily halted.

The Queen was accompanied by her son, the Prince of Wales, rather than the Duke of Edinburgh, after Prince Philip was admitted to hospital on Tuesday night.

The speech read out by the monarch always reveals the priorities for the coming Parliament and the new laws the ruling party hopes to pass.

8151km