Britain’s priority is to leave the European Union at the end of this month, the UK Queen said today. The State Opening of Parliament marks the formal start of the parliamentary year. The Queen’s Speech sets out the government’s agenda for the next session of Parliament and outlines proposed policies and laws.
This year we had a significant change in the Queen’s language on Brexit:
– In 2017, she said the government’s priority is to ‘secure the best possible deal’ and didn’t mention a leaving date
– Today she said the priority is to leave on Oct 31 – putting no deal on the table!
Monarch says Britain will leave on Oct 31!
My Government’s priority has always been to secure the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on October 31… My Government intends to work towards a new partnership with the European Union, based on free trade and friendly co-operation.
Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom
The Queen’s Speech includes measures to lock up criminals for longer, help domestic abuse victims, reform quickie divorces, let workers keep tips, sets out UK Gigabit broadband plans and impose tax on single-use plastics.
Setting out the Government’s legislative plan, despite the fact that might be curtailed by an early general election, the Queen set out six Brexit-related Bills.
65th UK Queen’s Speech
Queen Elizabeth asked government for measures to help the UK prosper after Brexit and she plans to end the free movement of EU citizens into the UK. The UK is due to leave the EU at 23:00 GMT on 31 October.
The last chance to agree any deal before 31st October deadline is the EU Summit 17-18/10 in Brussels.
The crucial two-day summit of EU leaders begins in Brussels on 17th October. This is the last such meeting currently scheduled before the Brexit deadline. After this EU TOP meeting, UK is due to leave the European Union, with or without a withdrawal agreement.
