The Queen's Speech Live

Summary

The Queen has delivered her speech setting out the government's plans for the year ahead
An EU referendum, a tax freeze and an extension of right-to-buy were included
David Cameron said the speech was a "clear vision for what our country can be"
Labour's Harriet Harman attacked proposals to give housing association tenants the right to buy their homes as "uncosted, unfunded and unworkable"
The SNP said it was "the only real opposition to the Tories in Westminster"
Sources confirmed Tony Blair is to stand down from his role as Middle East envoy representing the US, Russia, the UN and the EU

Live Reporting

Tom Moseley, Nick Eardley and Natalie Miller

Tories 'retreated' on human rights billpublished at 09:18
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Lord Falconer says the consultation shows the Conservatives have "retreated" on their British Bill of Rights proposal, which suggests "they are aware that these things cannot be done".
He says if a British Bill of Rights does make it to the House of Lords, as "the protector of the constitution", it would have to consider "very carefully whether [the move] would deprive this country of basic rights that the whole of Europe thinks we should have".
Human rights plan 'bad idea'published at 09:12
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Shadow lord chancellor Lord Falconer says reports that Conservative plans to repeal the Human Rights Act will be delayed to allow a consultation are "a very very good thing". He says the proposal was "a very bad idea that couldn't be implemented".
Quote Message
What the Conservatives appear to have been suggesting is that you could have only the rights the government approved of and you could still stay in the European Convention on Human Rights. Well I don't think you can do that. I think it would make the UK look like a state that didn't properly adhere to human rights."
Benn on effective oppositionpublished at 08:58
BBC News Channel
Hilary Benn is asked whether Labour being without a permanent leader at the moment puts the party in a difficult position to form an effective opposition. He thinks not, saying "it's perfectly possible" to hold the government to account while at the same time running a new leader contest.
'A foretaste of what's to come'published at 08:51
BBC News Channel
A consultation, rather than new legislation, is expected in relation to Conservative plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights, BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins has said.
Shadow communities secretary Hilary Benn says this shows the Conservatives are having difficulties on this matter - and predicts it is "a foretaste of what is to come" for David Cameron's government.
Full steam aheadpublished at 08.50
Norman Smith
Assistant political editor
What will strike most people is just what a large and substantial Queen's Speech we face today. In recent years we've had rather paltry offerings. Today we are going to get a torrent of bills - more than 20 in all.
Also the indications are that Mr Cameron wants to press ahead, at speed. He is not going to hang around.
So a lot of this legislation is going to be fast-tracked, in part because he knows now is his time of maximum opportunity when the opposition parties are flat on the deck, out for the count, and he is, in effect, master of all he surveys.
What will feature in the speech?published at 08:45
Image source, Getty Images
This will be the Queen's 62nd speech to Parliament, and it will set out the first all-Conservative legislative programme in almost 20 years.
It is expected to be delivered by the sovereign just after 11:30 BST, in the presence of MPs, peers and other dignitaries in the House of Lords.
A list of the bills expected to feature can be found here.
Off message?published at 08:36 British Summer Time 27 May 2015
HuffingtonPost executive political editor tweets...
Getting readypublished at 08:33 British Summer Time 27 May 2015
A BBC News producer tweets...
Whose speech is it anyway?published at 08.35
Nick Robinson
Political editor
Image source, AFP/Getty
Appearances can be deceptive.
It may be Her Majesty that travels from the Palace to Parliament to deliver it.
It may be accompanied by the finery and flummery of a great State occasion.
It maybe called the Queen's Speech but it is, of course, not really her's at all, but the Prime Minister's.
Read more from Nick.
Truss: I'd vote to repeal fox hunt banpublished at 08:32
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Pressed over whether there'll be a free vote on repealing the fox hunting ban, Ms Truss promises that there will be a government bill in government time. She says she would vote in favour of repeal.
Truss: We want to bring UK togetherpublished at 08:28
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Image source, Reuters
Asked whether the government would impose a British Bill of Rights on the devolved nations, even if they did not support it, Liz Truss says "we do need to make sure we do this on a UK-wide basis".
Ms Truss tells the programme that today's speech will show the Conservatives want to "bring the UK together". The government wants to follow through on the recommendations of the Smith Commission on Scottish devolution, with "additional measures" for Wales, she adds.
British Bill of Rights?published at 08:20
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Liz Truss says she won't speculate about whether there will be a British Bill of Rights in the Queen's Speech, but she points out it was promised in the Conservative manifesto. "We will absolutely do it, it's a manifesto commitment," she adds.
'One nation's Queen Speech'published at 08:17
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Environment Secretary Liz Truss says this will be a "one nation Queen's Speech" that is about achieving "security and opportunity" for everyone, with measures on childcare, education reforms and a pledge not to raise taxes.
Musical chairspublished at 08:15 British Summer Time 27 May 2015
BBC assistant political editor tweets...
Good morningpublished at 08:13
Hello and welcome to our live rolling coverage of the Queen's Speech, which marks the formal State Opening of Parliament. The sovereign will set out the government's legislative agenda for the year ahead. We'll bring you live updates as it unfolds - and all the reaction to the event.