(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Britain believe the Queen’s speech should remain a part of the country’s political life, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 44 per cent of respondents believe the tradition should continue as it is.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Britain believe the Queen’s speech should remain a part of the country’s political life, according to a poll by Angus Reid Public Opinion. 44 per cent of respondents believe the tradition should continue as it is.
Conversely, 23 per cent of respondents believe the Queen’s speech is irrelevant, 15 per cent would abandon the tradition, and eight per cent would prefer an address by the British prime minister.
In the United Kingdom, the Queen’s speech is read by the monarch before both Houses of Parliament. The speech describes the government’s agenda, and discusses some of their planned bills.
In June 2007, Gordon Brown officially became Labour leader and prime minister, replacing Tony Blair. Brown had worked as chancellor of the exchequer. Blair served as Britain’s prime minister since May 1997, winning majority mandates in the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections to the House of Commons.
Since December 2005, David Cameron has been the leader of the Conservative party. In December 2007, current parliamentarian Nick Clegg became the new leader of the Liberal Democrats.
On Nov. 18, the Labour government headed by Brown presented seven bills in the speech, read by Queen Elizabeth II.
Earlier this month, Clegg suggested that this year’s Queen’s speech be scrapped, adding, "It is a waste of everyone’s time, and should be cancelled in favour of an emergency programme of political reform. That is the only job this rump of a Parliament is fit for."
The next election to the House of Commons must be held on or before Jun. 3, 2010. Sitting prime ministers can dissolve Parliament and call an early ballot at their discretion.
Polling Data
The final Queen’s speech before the next General Election was read on Wednesday. The Queen’s speech is written by the government of the day and sets out their planned bills for the Parliament. It is read by the Queen. There have been a number of suggestions about the future of the Queen’s speech. Which of the following best sums up your view?
|
The Queen’s speech should continue as it is |
44% |
|
The actual speech is irrelevant; the government should just set out its plans in writing |
23% |
|
The whole idea of the Queen’s speech should be abandoned |
15% |
|
The Queen’s speech needs to be read but it should be read by the Prime Minister |
8% |
|
Don’t know |
10% |
Source: Angus Reid Public Opinion
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,004 British adults, conducted from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23, 2009. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.
