The Queen's speech, delivered amid the usual pomp and pageantry in the House of Lords, is a constitutional exercise designed to set out the government's plans for the following session.

 Click here to watch the speech in full

 Click here to watch an explanation of the ceremony

Public Services

Tony Blair promises his second term will focus on delivering change, particularly in the area of public services.

 The BBC's Andrew Marr reports

 The BBC's Niall Dickson looks at the government's plans for health and education

Crime

Labour campaigned hard to be seen as the party of law and order. They now promise legislation to fight crime and reform the police. The courts will be given new powers to seize the assets of criminals and more flexibility in sentencing persistent offenders.

 The BBC's Jane Peel reports

Health

The government announces plans to give doctors, nurses and other health workers more control over the future shape of the NHS. Controversially, there are no plans to bring forward legislation to ban tobacco advertising.

 The BBC's Navdip Dhariwal reports

The Debate

The party leaders start the debate on the issues raised in the Queen's speech. For William Hague it is an opportunity to speak to MPs for the first time since announcing his decision to stand down as Tory leader - an opportunity he took with some relish.

 Click here to watch to William Hague's speech in full

 Click here to watch Tony Blair's speech in full

 Click here to watch Charles Kennedy's speech in full