When is the Queen's Speech 2017? State Opening of Parliament delayed by two days amid DUP talks

Last year: The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament in May 2016
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Chloe Chaplain15 June 2017
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The Queen’s Speech and the State Opening of Parliament has been rescheduled for June 21 after it was delayed by Theresa May’s frantic negotiations with the DUP.

The event, which marks the start of the parliamentary year, had been due to take place on Monday – the same day as the start of Brexit negotiations.

On Thursday, newly-appointed Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom announced it would go ahead two days later than planned.

She said in a statement: "The Government has agreed with Buckingham Palace that the State Opening of Parliament will take place on 21 June 2017."

It has been pushed back by Downing Street after Mrs May failed to win a majority in the Commons, leaving her frantically attempting to negotiate a deal with the controversial DUP.

She is hoping to come to a ‘confidence and supply’deal with the Northern Ireland party, which will mean they prop up her minority in the Commons and vote through the Queen’s Speech.

The speech is the centrepiece of the State Opening.

During it, the Queen will read out the pre-prepared words– written by Tory ministers – which will set out the Government's legislative programme for the coming year.

DUP talks: Theresa May arrives in Downing Street on Wednesday.
REUTERS

It will essentially outline a list of laws the Government is hoping to pass and highlight their priorities for the coming Parliament.

The content of the speech is expected to be a moderated version of Mrs May’s manifesto after her authority was weakened by the surprise election result.

It will be followed by several days of debate before being voted on.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is expected to read out an “alternative” Queen’s Speech which he will urge other parties to support in an attempt to topple the Conservative government.

It is very unusual for the Queen’s Speech to be delayed but in the UK’s last government coalition in 2010, the Queen’s Speech did not take place until 20 days after the General Election.

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