The Queen's Speech should be used to announce the laws needed to pave the way for a euro referendum, say the Liberal Democrats.

The call came as the party outlined 39 bills it wants to see announced in the speech, including decriminalising possession of cannabis and creating an earmarked health tax.

Commons Leader Robin Cook last week fuelled referendum speculation when he said the speech would include "interesting" details about the euro.

Ministers are committed to assessing their five economic tests on euro entry by next June.

If they tests come out positive, they will recommend the public votes in a referendum for entering the eurozone.

'Wasting time'

Unveiling his party's Queen's Speech wish list, Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said the government's majority a referendum bill could be on the statute book by Christmas.

A vote could then take place in the next eight to 10 months, he said.

"I hope that will happen, but they have frittered away an awful lot of time already, not just in this parliament, but in the four years of the preceding parliament," said the pro-euro Mr Kennedy.

Charles Kennedy: The Conservatives only have "panic measures"

Other Lib Dem demands build on the review of the party's policies published by party MEP Chris Huhne in September.

Mr Kennedy contrasted the 39 proposed bills to what he said were "25 panic measures" unveiled by the Conservatives at their party conference.

Not everything from the Lib Dems' manifesto has been included on the list, but it is still substantially more than could be passed in a single session of parliament.

Devolving power

At its centre is a "Decentralisation and Accountability Bill", with the Lib Dems claimining to be the one party ready to devolve real power to local level.

That bill includes proposals for directly elected regional assemblies where people call for them in local referendums.

Council taxes would be replaced by a local income tax under the plans, and national insurance would become a ring-fenced tax for the NHS.

Among other proposals on the Lib Dem agenda are:

• Reviewing restrictions on work for asylum seekers
• Scrapping school league tables
• Abolishing up-front university tuition fees and restoring maintenance grants for poorer students
• Creating a new Victims Fund to help the victims of crime
• Giving the vote to 16-year-olds

Mr Kennedy called the proposed programme as "considered measures which will make a real difference to real people's lives".

He added: "The Liberal Democrats have won the argument over funding of the public services, now we must make sure the money is well spent.

"What a contrast with the 25 panic measures unveiled by the Tories.

"While they have a few scattered ideas, we have a proper programme for a better Britain."