The plotline dreamt up by the the Downing Street spindoctors is "security in a changing world" - not just security from bad people whether noisy neighbours or troublesome terrorists but from climate change and pensioner poverty too. It's a neat enough formulation but like all Queen's Speeches I suspect it won't last terribly long. You see the wordsmiths at Number Ten don't
actually control what goes into the Queen's Speech. The content, as always, actually stems from a curious mix of:
• Mere chance - "Department A has finally got its plans ready for a new bill"
• Buggins turn - "We turned down Minister B last year and we can't do it again"
• Inter-departmental rivalry - "No-one will take us seriously if we don't have something in the Queen's Speech"
• Party Politics - "Let's make Cameron and Campbell look soft by by forcing another vote on ID cards"
Oh yes, and then there's what the Cabinet decides is in the country's interests.
For me, the whole thing seemed an exercise in flummery - Gold Sticks in waiting, Black Rods, Queen's Bargemasters, shiny soldiers, carriage and horses, peers in fancy robes - and totally out of sync with a speech which lasted little more than 8 minutes. Meanwhile, her maj looked a little frail, what with having to wear a heavy crown (and her with a bad back too).
For once, I rather think that the Scottish Parliament is more dignified about it, without all these hangers-on who so obviously love the whole business of dressing up.
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