London, Jun 21 Queen Elizabeth II today unveiled the government's scaled-down agenda in her speech dominated by a host of proposed new laws created to deliver a "smooth and orderly" divorce from the European Union amid the political uncertainty after Prime Minister Theresa May's poll debacle.
The state opening of parliament by Queen Elizabeth II came after a string of tragedies which have shaken the nation, and the election on June 8 in which May's Conservatives saw their parliamentary majority wiped out.
Party sources insisted Mrs May was "confident" of getting the Speech through the Commons, even though the result of next Thursday's vote will be on a knife edge if no deal is reached with the DUP, who were reported to be holding out for £2 billion of investment in health and infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
"My Government will seek to maintain a deep and special partnership with European allies and to forge new trading relationships across the globe", the queen said in prepared remarks.
What is usually a ceremonial address, dominated by costumed pageantry, has become a crucial test of May's ability to run the country during its most testing period for generations.
Britain is beginning negotiations for leaving the European Union.
Plans to scrap free school meals, ration winter fuel payments for pensioners, repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, and introduce the "dementia tax" for funding social care have been swept away by the election result, the daily said.
Mr Skinner made both sides of the House laugh when he quipped: "Get your skates on, the first race is half past two".
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The shift to a more consultative tack drew a cautious welcome from business groups, which worry that May's plan focuses more on controlling immigration than protecting the economy.
President Trump's planned state visit to the United Kingdom was noticeably absent from the Queen's speech to Parliament, an omission some are considering confirmation that the visit is postponed.
"A threadbare legislative programme from a government that has lost its majority and apparently run out of ideas altogether", he told parliament.
And there was expected to be minimal fanfare for the Queen's arrival, with no heralds present as she makes her procession to the Chamber of the House of Lords to take the throne and deliver her speech.
Prince Philip, the husband of the queen, didn't attend after being hospitalized for an infection.
Veteran MP Dennis Skinner saw the amusing side of the Queen's diary predicament, and in his traditional heckle ahead of the Queen's speech joked that MPs and Black Rod should hurry up so she could make the first race at Royal Ascot.
May apologised for the government's inadequate response to that fire and acknowledged the country faced "difficult times".
"This will be complemented by legislation to ensure that the United Kingdom makes a success of Brexit, establishing new national policies on immigration, worldwide sanctions, nuclear safeguards, agriculture, and fisheries", said the speech.
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