United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
all articles
Queen Elizabeth II reopened the British Parliament and read the government program of Boris Johnson. The Brexit on 31 October is referred to as a priority. "It has always been my government's priority to ensure the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU on 31 October," the Queen told MEPs.
"My government intends to work towards a new partnership with the European Union," the Queen added. The new agreement should be based on "free trade and friendly cooperation".
Traditionally, the parliament is opened by the queen. The Queen's Speech sets out the plans of the government and is also written by the government.
A multi-day debate and vote on the government plans follow.
The speech also announced higher healthcare spending, a stricter immigration bill, and more investment in research and science. In addition, climate protection should be cast in laws and the domestic infrastructure improved.
In view of the widely anticipated new elections, some projects probably will not find a majority among MEPs.
Hope for withdrawal agreement before the weekend
The talks between the negotiators from London and Brussels about a Brexit agreement are in a hot phase. On Friday, the EU states gave the green light for intensified negotiations with London in the coming days. Should this come to an agreement, it should be decided at the EU summit on 17 and 18 October.
Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney was confident on Monday that an agreement with the EU could be reached by the end of the month. "It may even be possible this week," said Coveney on the sidelines of the EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg. However, there is still a lot of work ahead, he added.
The crux of the negotiations is the issue of border control between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The EU categorically rejects border controls. Johnson, on the other hand, insists on the removal of the controversial "backstop" rule in the Brexit agreement negotiated by his predecessor Theresa May and, if necessary, wants to lead his country out of the EU without an agreement.
Freedom of movement should be completed by 2021
For the time after Brexit, the British government is now planning an end to freedom of movement within Europe. EU citizens moving to the UK after January 2021 should be treated like people from non-EU countries, according to the speech read by the Queen.
Finance Minister Sajid Javid, meanwhile, announced that he would present the first budget after Brexit on 6 November. He would set out a "plan to shape the economy of the future", which will usher in "the beginning of our infrastructure revolution," Javid said.
The opposition Labor Party described the announcement as an "election campaign gag". "I would be surprised if there is a budget at this point," said Labor politician Jon Trickett on BBC. Johnson's government did not know if the lower house would agree to a Brexit agreement, Trickett said.
The Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon also doubted on the BBC that there would be a budget on 6 November. Perhaps the government has not been in office until then - "and it is far from certain that we will leave the EU on 31 October," she said.
more on the subject
