Blair sets out UK government plans

Blair exchanges a joke with defeated Conservative leader Hague

LONDON, England -- Britain's Labour government has announced its plans for new legislation aimed at meeting campaign promises after its landslide election victory this month.

Prime Minister Tony Blair made a series of pledges on public services, with measures planned for schools, hospitals and policing.

A new session of parliament was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday, with the traditional Queen's Speech -- read by the monarch but written by the government -- focusing on domestic issues and staying clear of references to the controversial debate concerning membership of the euro single currency.

Blair's opponents, the Conservatives, fought hard to "save the pound" in an anti-euro election campaign, but suffered a shattering defeat which led to leader William Hague's resignation.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Matthew Taylor said: "The Queen's Speech does nothing to clarify Labour's muddled and ambiguous position on the euro.

"This Government is presiding over the continued erosion of British industry and a record trade deficit as a result of the high value of the pound against the euro."

In one of his last appearances in parliament as Conservative leader, Hague told Blair time was running out for his government.

Queen Elizabeth II delivers the government's plans

"The argument that they needed more time did work," he said. "But it will not work again. People demand delivery."

But Blair said he was confident he knows what he has to achieve. "The British people have given us our mandate. We know exactly what they demand from us and we fully intend to deliver," he said.

Blair said the British people had opted for economic stability, enterprise, investment and reform in the public services, putting schools and hospitals first and leadership and engagement in the world -- and these were the government's choices too.

The Queen's Speech, delivered in the House of Lords, contained proposals for 20 Bills and four draft Bills.

Among the most controversial will be moves to abolish the "double jeopardy" rule in murder cases, meaning someone acquitted of a killing can be put on trial again if new evidence emerges.

Overhauling the secondary school system will be Blair's top priority, the speech said.

The speech was delivered amid customary pomp and circumstance

More City Academies will be created and standard contracts will be created to allow private firms, voluntary groups and religious organisations to run their own schools.

For the National Health Service (NHS), doctors, nurses and other "health professionals" will now control 75% of all health service spending under an NHS Reform Bill.

There was no mention in the measures announced on Wednesday for other election pledges such as proposals to allow 24-hour drinking and ban all tobacco advertising and sponsorship.

Blair's spokesman stressed these measures could be included in later programmes, and that manifesto commitments were for the life of the parliament and not necessarily to all be introduced immediately.