Queen's Speech tears up most of Tory manifesto in nine minutes

Credit: AP

Theresa May has torn up much of the Conservative manifesto to deliver a legislative timetable for the next two years dominated by preparations for Brexit.

New measures in response to recent attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire were also included in the scaled-back and notably short Queen's Speech, which took just nine minutes and seven seconds to deliver.

The government-written speech, which is read by the monarch after being approved by the cabinet and states all the bills ministers want to get passed in the coming year, was condemned as "thin gruel" by Labour.

What was announced on Brexit?

Of 27 Bills and draft bills unveiled in Mrs May's first Queen's Speech, eight are devoted to the complex process of withdrawal from the EU.

They include 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.

What was included in the wake of recent attacks and the Grenfell fire?

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire and a string of terror attacks, the prime minister also announced plans for a Civil Disaster Reaction Taskforce and a new Commission for Countering Extremism.

The government confirmed a review of counter-terror strategy and the creation of an independent public advocate to act on behalf of bereaved families.

Mrs May later apologised in the House of Commons for the "failure" of both national and local government to provide survivors of the west London blaze with the support they needed.

What was dropped from the speech?

Flagship manifesto policies axed included the scrapping of universal free school lunches and means-testing of the winter fuel payment, an energy price cap and the reform of social care funding which opponents branded a "dementia tax".

The Queen also made no mention of any state visit by Donald Trump, fuelling speculation that the planned trip is set to be ditched after the US president reportedly said he did not want to come to the UK if there was a risk of being greeted by protests.

What else was included in the speech?

The Queen delivered the speech to mark the State Opening of Parliament. Credit: PA

Also unveiled were Bills to extend the HS2 high-speed rail link to Crewe, permit the development of driverless cars, spaceports and commercial satellites, cut whiplash insurance claims, protect victims of domestic abuse and ban letting fees for private rented homes.

What was the response to the speech?

Mr Corbyn dismissed the programme as "thin gruel" which showed the Conservatives were running out of ideas after a bruising election result that left them still negotiating with the DUP to command power in the Commons.

"This is a Government without a majority, without a mandate, without a serious legislative programme, led by a Prime Minister who has lost her personal authority and is struggling even today to stitch up a deal to stay in office," he said.

But his claim to head a "government in waiting" was given short shrift by the PM, who mockingly praised him for having "fought a spirited campaign and come a good second".

Outgoing Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said his party would not support the speech and claimed both he and Mrs May would soon no longer be leading their parties.

In his attack on the speech, Mr Farron said: "Her Majesty has launched many ships in her time, never such an empty vessel as the one today."

Where does the government stand with DUP talks?

For the first time in decades, the prime minister went into the event unsure of commanding the level of support among MPs needed to avoid defeat on a programme.

Almost two weeks after the election, Conservatives sources said talks with the DUP were "ongoing" after the Northern Irish party warned its support cannot be "taken for granted".

A DUP source warned talks with Tories "haven't proceeded in a way that the DUP would have expected" and a deal was "certainly not imminent".

The scaled-back State Opening of Parliament has already been delayed two days following the inconclusive election.

Why was this year's Queen's Speech scaled back?

The Queen arrived in a car rather than a carriage. Credit: PA

The State Opening of Parliament is usually the most colourful event of the Parliamentary calendar, but this year the usual pomp and pageantry was scaled back.

Instead, the Queen formally opened the new session wearing a day dress and hat rather than the Imperial state crown and ceremonial robes, which enabled her a swifter outfit change when she headed back to Royal Ascot.

The Queen swapped her blue day dress for a summery yellow outfit at Royal Ascot hours later. Credit: PA

The reason for the dressed-down ceremony is because Trooping the Colour took place just four days prior, so it was deemed infeasible for the military and the Royal Mews to stage two major events in such a short period.

The Queen also arrived in a car rather than horse-drawn carriage and there was no royal procession into the House of Lords.

What has the PM said about the post-election uncertainty?

Theresa May has promised to work with 'humility and resolve'. Credit: AP

Having called a snap election in the hope of securing an increased majority to deliver Brexit in a "strong and stable" way, Mrs May acknowledged that the outcome was "not the one I hoped for".

"This government will respond with humility and resolve to the message the electorate sent," she promised.

"We will work hard every day to gain the trust and confidence of the British people, making their priorities our priorities."

Mrs May said last year's referendum vote amounted to "a profound and justified expression that our country often does not work the way it should for millions of ordinary working families".

In response, the government will bring forward measures to build a stronger economy, improve living standards, build a fairer society and fund public services, she said.