A student’s guide to the Queen’s Speech 2017

For the 64th time, Queen Elizabeth II delivered her speech this year to Parliament accompanied by her son, Charles. The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to hospital the night before as a "precautionary measure" (bit of pollen up his nose tbh) due to an infection.

Due to the short notice of this election, the Queen's speech this year took place without the usual ceremonial pomp that usually accompanies the event and as such was the first time the Queen's speech had seen such relaxed conditions since March 1974.

The Black Rod did his traditional banging on the door to the House of Lords and the Queen started her much awaited speech.

Student Translation

Wasn't such good entertainment as usual. Couldn't imagine that we were watching the coronation scene from Jonny English. Also the DofE ambassador is ill but he's a trooper as we all know from hours of trekking so he'll pull through.

The Black Rod bangs on the door

What did the Queen talk about?

It should come as little surprise that 8 of the 24 bills and draft bills covered this year related to Brexit. These included a Repeal Bill to overturn the 1972 Act which took Britain into the European Economic Community, and separate bills on customs, trade, immigration, fisheries, agriculture, nuclear safeguards and the international sanctions regime.

Student Translation

Incase you lived out of your bed eating Quavers all year and hadn't heard, the UK is leaving the EU…

Any new laws?

There was a push for industry in the UK, with references to the new Space Industry Bill, the scrapping of "letting fees" or any payments as a condition of tenancy other than rent and a draft Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill, establishing a Domestic Violence and Abuse Commissioner.

Student Translation

GOOD NEWS for generation rent (us). In a bid to make renting fairer for tenants, this could save us as much as £300, and a proposed cap on deposits could increase our savings even more. However, the decision has been branded a 'short-term crowdpleaser' by people in the letting industry, with suggestions that this could push rents up by £103 a year for the average tenant.

The Queen was accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the jewels

The Armed Forces Bill and a continuing commitment to spending 2% of GDP on defence was reiterated, alongside a topical review of counter-terrorism strategy to cover powers in the fight against terror, the sentences for those convicted of terror offences and better policing of extremism online.

Student Translation

With one of the largest Reservist contingencies of students in London, this is good news for anyone thinking of joining the military after their degree. No cuts to defence= jobs still available for our War Studies gang.

Other topics covered included a crackdown on fraudulent whiplash claimants.

Student Translation

Less comedy in the daytime police TV documentaries.

Finally, reference to upcoming state visits failed to include that of US President Donald Trump, a second sly dig at Mr Trump after the Queen reaffirmed the UK's commitment to the Paris Agreement before processing out of the Chamber followed by a rendition of 'God Save the Queen'.

Student Translation

The Queen is a legend.