女王伊莉莎白二世於新國會開議演說中強調：減少赤字為當務之急。

整個開議的過程很有趣，是我以前沒注意到的。

新國會開議（the State Opening of Parliament）一般又稱女王的演說（the Queen's Speech），整個過程十分傳統，保有許多儀節上的莊嚴。國會開議的日子，女王從白金漢宮(Buckingham Palace)起駕乘著馬車到西敏宮(Palace of Westminster)，然後在更衣室戴上皇冠，穿上紅袍後，走進上議院，坐上王位。 

然後由英國上院的引座官(Black Rod,黑杖侍衛)到下議院 (House of Commons)請議員們到上議院參加女王的演說。引座官到下議院的門口時，就會有人喊：關門！下議院的大門就會關上，讓引座官吃個閉門羹。.....

以下是女王演說的全文，然後是照片，最後是整個過程的報導。（文字報導摘自泰晤士報Times網站，照片則是取自西班牙國家報El País網站，版權皆為其原擁有者所有。）

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

My Government’s legislative programme will be based upon the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility.

The first priority is to reduce the deficit and restore economic growth.

Action will be taken to accelerate the reduction of the structural budget deficit. A new Office for Budget Responsibility will provide confidence in the management of the public finances.
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The tax and benefits system will be made fairer and simpler. Changes to National Insurance will safeguard jobs and support the economy. People will be supported into work with sanctions for those who refuse available jobs and the timetable for increasing the State Pension Age will be reviewed.

Legislation will reform financial services regulation to learn from the financial crisis and to make fair and transparent payments to Equitable Life policy holders.

My Government will support investment in new high-speed broadband internet connections, enable the construction of a high-speed railway network and reform the economic regulation of airports to benefit passengers.

My Government will modernise the Royal Mail, in partnership with employees, and will ensure it benefits from private sector capital and disciplines.

My Government will limit the number of non-European Union economic migrants entering the United Kingdom and end the detention of children for immigration purposes.

Legislation will be introduced to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses, to promote low carbon energy production and to secure energy supplies.

My Government will remove barriers to flexible working and promote equal pay.

My Government will seek to build a strong and fair society by reforming public services and encouraging individual and social responsibility.

Legislation will be introduced to enable more schools to achieve academy status, give teachers greater freedom over the curriculum and allow new providers to run state schools.

The voice of patients and the role of doctors to be strengthened in the National Health Service to improve public health alongside actions to reduce health inequalities. A commission will be appointed to consider a sustainable long-term structure for the operation of social care.

A Bill will be introduced to make the police service more accountable to local people and to tackle alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

The role of social enterprises, charities and the co-operatives in our public services will be enhanced. The cost of bureaucracy and the number of public bodies will be reduced.

A Bill will be introduced to devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities control over housing and planning decisions. Legislation will be introduced to stop uncompleted plans to create unitary councils.

My Government will propose Parliamentary and political reform to restore trust in democratic institutions and rebalance the relationship between the citizen and the state.

Measures will be brought forward to introduce fixed term Parliaments of five years.

A Bill will be introduced for a referendum on the Alternative Vote system for the House of Commons and to create fewer and more equal sized constituencies.

Constituents will be given the right to recall their Members of Parliament where they are guilty of serious wrongdoing.

Proposals will be brought forward for a reformed second House that is wholly or mainly elected on the basis of proportional representation.

Action will be taken to reform the funding of political parties. A draft Bill will be published on reforming parliamentary privilege.

Legislation will be brought forward to restore freedoms and civil liberties, through the abolition of Identity Cards and repeal of unnecessary laws.

My Government will work constructively and co-operatively with the devolved institutions.

My Government will introduce legislation to implement recommendations from the Final Report of the Commission on Scottish Devolution and is committed to a referendum on additional powers for the National Assembly of Wales.

My Government will support the political institutions and stable devolved government in Northern Ireland.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

My Government will introduce legislation to ensure that in future this Parliament and the British people have their say on any proposed transfer of powers to the European Union.

The Duke of Edinburgh and I look forward to our visit to Canada in June and to our visit to the United Nations in New York in July. We also look forward to receiving His Holiness Pope Benedict the Sixteenth in September.

My Government will seek effective global collaboration to sustain economic recovery and to combat climate change, including at the climate change conference in Mexico later this year.

My Government will fully support our courageous armed forces and undertake a full Strategic Defence and Security Review.

My Government will work with the Afghan government, Pakistan and international partners for lasting security and stability in Afghanistan.

My Government looks forward to an enhanced partnership with India.

In the Middle East, my Government will continue to work for a two-state solution that sees a viable Palestinian state existing in peace and security alongside Israel.

My Government will work to reduce the threat from nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation including the serious international concerns posed by Iran’s nuclear programme.

My Government is committed to spend nought point seven per cent of gross national income in development aid from 2013.

Other measures will be laid before you.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7135947.ece



伊莉莎白(II)女王與愛丁堡公爵乘坐著愛爾蘭國家馬車(Irish State Coach)前往國會。



女王駕到前，一位男士正在西敏宮（Palace of Westminster，國會大廈 Houses of Parliament) 做最後打掃。



御林軍(Household Cavalry)護送女王前往國會(Palace of Westminster)途中。



伊莉莎白二世。



侍衛隊(the Yeomen of the Guard)持蠟燭在西敏宮［西敏宮Palace of Westminster，國會大廈Houses of Parliament，位於英國倫敦西敏市，是英國國會（包括上議院和下議院）所在］恭候女王駕到。



前首相柴契爾夫人(上議院議員)。



女王駕臨西敏宮。



女王演說的地點－－上議院（House of Lords）：英國國會的設計就是兩黨制的，執政與在野政黨相對而坐。而據說兩邊第一排的距離正好是雙方手持西洋劍交戰(engagement)的長度。



女王伊莉莎白二世宣告的第56屆國會開議。



在女王的演說之後，聯合政府的新首相卡麥隆等步入下議會(House of Commons)。前兩位分別是新首相 David Cameron 與反對黨領袖 Harriet Harman.


女王與御林軍回白金漢宮。

12 noon: The horses clop slowly out of the Palace of Westminster, as inside, the National Anthem plays again. More carriages start to leave, including one carrying the crown (3,000 diamonds: we hope there is some 21st-century security around).

Debate among MPs begins at 2.30 this afternoon.

11.57am: The Queen exits the Robing Room, having replaced her crown with an everyday tiara. She processes slowly out of the Palace, followed by the heralds, stopping briefly to chat to Mr Clarke, who’s almost as much of a veteran of these things as she is.

Fanfares as the Queen climbs back into her carriage.

11.55am: The Speech is over and there were few surprises – especially after a late draft was leaked to Sunday papers. There are 22 Bills, with flagship legislation to include changes to schools, political reform, and a promise to scrap identity cards.

But after the wrangling behind closed doors to cut a deal between the Tories and Liberal Democrats, this is where the free-for-all begins on the coalition government’s plans.

The backlash has already begun. The Communication Workers Union says it will fight plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail, with industrial action if necessary. The Postal Services Bill, included in the Speech, will allow the disposal of shares to third parties; the union says this policy is already “discredited” after being shelved by the last government. They will fight to “secure our members’ pensions and jobs”, they say.

11.52am: The Mace,symbolising the authority of the Speaker, is carried back to its standin the House of Commons, which means the House can officially be insession. This is where it all begins.

mace  a decorative stick, carried as a sign of authority by an official such as a mayor 權杖

11.50am: And that’s it. “My Lords and members of the House of Commons, I pray that the blessings of Almighty God may rest upon your councils,” says Her Majesty.

Mr Clarke kneels before her and she gives him back the speech. They rise and slowly process out, back towards the Robing Room.

Conversation breaks out; the MPs return to the House of Commons where debate will soon kick off. David Cameron and Harriet Harman are chatting amicably – but not for long.

11.45am: The Government will work to “sustain the economic recovery and combat climate change,” especially at the climate change conference in Mexico, the Queen says. There will be an armed forces review and the Government will work with Afghanistan and Pakistan for lasting security and stability in Afghanistan.

“My Government looks forward to an enhanced relationship with India,” she says – a pointed singling-out, after William Hague said he would improve our relationship with South Asian and African countries. The Queen expresses her government’s hope for a “viable Palestinian state”.

It will work against nuclear proliferation, she says (but will replace our Trident nuclear deterrent, she doesn’t say).

11.43am: The Queen says her new Government will “rebalance the relationship between the citizen and the state”. Among the measures to do this will be a Bill on five-year fixed-term parliaments, another to bring about a referendum on the alternative vote system, fewer and more equal sized constituencies (this is Tory policy, condemned by Labour as gerrymandering) and reforms to the system of parliamentary privilege.

11.42am: An overview from the Queen of legislative plans – many of which we’ve heard about in the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

Among them: a limit on the number of non EU migrants and an end to the detention of children of asylum-seekers (Tory and Lib Dem policies, respectively). Investment in high speed broadband and high speed rail links; compensation for Equitable Life policy holders; a commission to consider social care; more schools to get academy status and more freedom on the curriculum taught; a Bill to make police more accountable.

11.40am: The MPs squeeze into the Lords as the Lord Chancellor presents the speech to the Queen. And it begins.

“My government’s legislative programme will be based upon the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility. The first priority is to reduce the deficit and restore economic growth. Action will be taken to accelerate the reduction of the structural budget deficit.”

11.33am: The Yeoman Usher, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Lloyd-Dukes, marches with the Black Rod towards the House of Commons. “Close the door!” a voice shouts imperiously. It is slammed in his face. He bangs on it three times with the rod, and it opens (phew). This is a ceremonial reminder of the constitutional primacy of the House of Commons.

He marches in. “Mr Speaker, the Queen commands this honourable house to attend Her Majesty immediately in the House of Peers,” he says. Much laughter as the members of the House get up and follow him. Each member of the Cabinet walks in with their opposite number from the Shadow Cabinet. William Hague and David Miliband are deep in conversation – comparing notes on Hillary Clinton perhaps?

11.30am: More fanfares as the Queen – now wearing the Crown and a red robe which trails out for yards behind her, carried by page boys – processes in with the Duke. Ahead of her, Mr Clarke with the purse containing the speech. The Chamber rises as they walk in. The Queen and Duke take their places on the twin thrones. “My lords, pray be seated,” she says.

11.25am: In the Central Lobby of Parliament a crowd has gathered. Police inspectors (in 21st century outfits) wait to give the command: “Hats off, strangers!”

11.15am: The Queen’s procession is approaching Parliament; inside, the band of the Coldstream Guards plays the National Anthem.

She arrives and her carriage drives through the gates into the Palace of Westminster. An attendant in full regalia unfolds a step from the carriage and The Duke of Edinburgh steps out, followed by the Queen, to the sound of a trumpet fanfare.

11.10am: The Black Rod is to be replaced today by the Yeoman Usher because apparently the Black Rod isn’t well! We hope he gets better soon, but shouldn’t they have a Deputy Black Rod for these occasions?

Baroness Thatcher is present in the Lords, looking fragile after a series of health problems.

Ken Clarke, the new Lord High Chancellor, strolls in in his official wig. He looks terribly relaxed; he’s holding some kind of ceremonial purse, but it hangs off his hand as if it’s a bag of veg.

11.00am: The Imperial State Crown is being ceremonially carried into Parliament. It’s only ever worn at the State Opening of Parliament and coronations, and looks in fine fettle and very sparkly.

It has now arrived in the House of Lords along with two other symbols of the Queen’s authority: the Cap of Maintenance and the Sword of State. The Cap, apparently, is a reminder of caps once given by the Pope to his favoured monarch.

Meanwhile, different groups are filing into the Lords; right now, the Heralds, who are in charge of coats of arms.

As the clock struck 11, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh left the Palace in their black and gold state coach drawn by four white horses to head down to Westminster.

Yes, we are in 2010...

10.55am: More details now out on the arrest earlier of Brian Haw. He obstructed police while they were searching tents on Parliament Square in preparation for today at about 8am, it’s reported, and was arrested along with another protester, Barbara Tucker.

It’s the latest episode in a long-running standoff between Mr Haw – who has been to court to assert his right to keep protesting there – and the police. But it’s already raising eyebrows on Twitter: “[hides sardonic upturn of lips] A new politics” tweets the former Labour MP Tom Watson.

sardonic    /sɑr'dɑnɪk/ howing that you think that you are better than other people and do not take them seriously 輕慢的；輕蔑的；嘲弄的adjectivewrittendisapproving

The BBC reports that Phoenix, an environmental activist who has been living in the camp, witnessed the arrests. Phoenix (Mr Phoenix?) said: “I didn’t like the way he was held in a stress position and was taken off. He was carried off by four officers with his whole body weight on his forward shoulders... he wanted his crutches.”

10.50am: The Lords is now packed; in the visitors’ gallery, Samantha Cameron avidly studies the programme for the event. It’s the 56th Parliament the Queen has opened, so it probably feels fairly routine to her.

The Household Cavalry, dismounted detachment, are processing towards the Norman staircase, which they will line up in preparation for the Queen’s arrival. Their hats have extraordinary red plumes.

Outside, in the BBC’s rather more modern broadcasting pod, Harriet Harman is busy attacking the new government’s planned cuts for the next year, which she notes were presented yesterday “outside Parliament, not to Parliament”. They are depriving young people of jobs by scrapping the Future Jobs Fund and also “getting rid of the regional infrastructure that drives growth,” she says.

10.45am: Our sketch writer, Ann Treneman, tweets “Waiting for the queen in the lords. Am counting the tiaras. It’s my job.” She adds: “One wag has tiara that frames her face, then dangling earrings then choker. Amazing bling!”

tiara  n. a piece of jewellery like a small crown decoratedwith precious stones, worn by a woman, for example a princess, onformal occasions 冠狀頭飾（女子用，如公主在正式場合戴的鑲有寶石的王冠式頭飾）

10.40am: In the previews we’ve seen of the Queen’s Speech, there’s been a big gap – a date for the referendum on the alternative vote system which was the Liberal Democrats’ big prize in coalition negotiation. But Nick Clegg said earlier on BBC Breakfast that it would definitely take place in this Parliament. “Of course there will be a referendum; exactly what month and exactly when it will be held, that we still need to sort out,” he said.

Meanwhile in Parliament, the Yeomen of the Guard – officially the Queen’s bodyguard, in real life some men in red jester’s outfits – have searched the vaults of the Palace of Westminster to check there won’t be a reprise of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Glad they’ve got all the bases covered.

10.30am: The Queen is currently at Buckingham Palace; she’ll leave there some time in the next half-hour for the procession to Westminster, escorted by the Household Cavalry. Arriving in Parliament, she’ll proceed to the Robing Room and put on – yes – the Imperial State Crown. Next comes a procession into the House of Lords, where she will take the Throne.

10.00am Good morning - and welcome to the day of the State Opening of Parliament, otherwise known as the Queen’s Speech. It’s a day for pomp and circumstance, on which the Commons is summoned by a mysterious individual known as the “Black Rod”.

Her Majesty is expected to speak at around 11.30, promising - on behalf of the new government - some 22 bills in this legislative programme which amount, Nick Clegg said this morning, to “something remarkably new”.

The first bill is expected to open up access to running schools, including to groups of parents; the placement of this bill highlights the importance the coalition places on Michael Gove’s education reform agenda.

Fireworks are expected over Bills such as the parliamentary reform Bill, which requires a 55 per cent super-majority to dissolve Parliament, and a bill to part-privatise the Royal Mail.

The day has got off to a downbeat start with the arrest of the veteran peace protester Brian Haw, who has been living and protesting in Parliament Square since 2001. His arrest was apparently for “obstructing the police”. There’s nothing like a raggle-taggle anti-war demonstration to ruin a grand ceremony is there?