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Blair plans final security blitz Blair hails heavyweight successor
(about 2 hours later)
Plans to combat terrorism, crime and anti-social behaviour will dominate Tony Blair's final months in office. Tony Blair has branded Tory leader David Cameron a "flyweight" who faces electoral knockout by the "big clunking fist" of a Labour "heavyweight".
Tackling climate change and reforming pensions will also be key parts of the Queen's Speech programme of 29 bills for the coming Parliamentary session. His words, as the pair clashed over Mr Blair's plans for his last year as prime minister, were taken as an apparent endorsement of Gordon Brown.
There will also be moves to strengthen border controls, prevent illegal working and push ahead with ID cards. Mr Cameron accused Mr Blair of running "a tired and discredited" government.
But Conservative leader David Cameron accused Mr Blair of using the "politics of fear" to cover up "hollow" plans. He said the 29 bills in the Queen's Speech, focused on crime and security, peddled the "politics of fear".
Mr Cameron told MPs it had all been heard before, saying it was "so depressing that people might think the chancellor has already taken over". The Tory leader told MPs it had all been heard before, saying: "The tragedy of this prime minister is that he promised so much and he has delivered so little."
BILLS Climate Change BillPensions BillSerious Crime BillCriminal Justice BillFraud BillMental Health BillRoad Transport BillWelfare Reform BillCrossrail Bill All the bills at-a-glance What is the Queen's Speech? Queen's Speech: Full textBILLS Climate Change BillPensions BillSerious Crime BillCriminal Justice BillFraud BillMental Health BillRoad Transport BillWelfare Reform BillCrossrail Bill All the bills at-a-glance What is the Queen's Speech? Queen's Speech: Full text
"The tragedy of this prime minister is that he promised so much and he has delivered so little," Mr Cameron told MPs.
He said the package of plans was "not about keeping hospitals open or keeping the streets safe, it's about keeping a tired and discredited Labour Party in power, and the truth is they've failed to deliver".He said the package of plans was "not about keeping hospitals open or keeping the streets safe, it's about keeping a tired and discredited Labour Party in power, and the truth is they've failed to deliver".
Mr Blair hit back by accusing Mr Cameron of being a "flyweight" with "no interest in the substance of policy". Mr Blair, responding, denied using the "politics of fear," saying the government had made a "realistic assessment of the threat and the measures to meet it".
He denied peddling the "politics of fear," saying the government had made a "realistic assessment of the threat and the measures to meet it".
On anti-social behaviour, Mr Blair said the Tories were "completely out of touch with the needs of people in this country".On anti-social behaviour, Mr Blair said the Tories were "completely out of touch with the needs of people in this country".
And, in what appeared to be an endorsement of Chancellor Gordon Brown as his successor, Mr Blair said the next election contest would be "a flyweight versus a heavyweight". Mr Blair ended his repsonse by saying the next election contest would be "a flyweight versus a heavyweight".
"However much he dances around the ring beforehand he will come in reach of a big clunking fist and, you know what, he'll be out on his feet, carried out of the ring," Mr Blair told the Tory leader, pointing at Mr Brown sat behind him. "However much he dances around the ring beforehand he will come in reach of a big clunking fist and, you know what, he'll be out on his feet, carried out of the ring," Mr Blair told the Tory leader before getting a pat on the back from Mr Brown when he sat down.
IraqIraq
In his response the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell accused Mr Blair of being too keen to introduce new laws.In his response the Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell accused Mr Blair of being too keen to introduce new laws.
He also attacked the government over Iraq and what he called Mr Blair's "apparently uncritical acceptance of a US strategy which has self-evidently failed".He also attacked the government over Iraq and what he called Mr Blair's "apparently uncritical acceptance of a US strategy which has self-evidently failed".
KEY PRIORITIES Tackling climate changeReforming pensionsCreating secure communitiesMeeting challenges of immigration and terrorismSource: Queen's speech Analysis: Will it outlast PM?
Calling for a phased withdrawal of troops, Sir Menzies said the government had "no right" to ask service people to risk their lives "if there is no realistic chance of success".Calling for a phased withdrawal of troops, Sir Menzies said the government had "no right" to ask service people to risk their lives "if there is no realistic chance of success".
He told MPs that "for all his achievements" Iraq would "define" Mr Blair in the same way Suez had defined former prime minister Sir Anthony Eden. The details of the government's priorities were earlier set out in Parliament by the Queen amid the traditional pomp and ceremony.
'Stable communities' Crime, security and anti-social behaviour took centre stage but tackling climate change and reforming pensions were also highlighted as key priorities for the coming Parliamentary session.
The government's priorities were earlier set out in Parliament by the Queen amid the traditional pomp and ceremony. There will also be moves to strengthen border controls, prevent illegal working and push ahead with ID cards.
The Queen told MPs and peers: "At the heart of my government's programme will be further action to provide strong, secure and stable communities, and to address the threat of terrorism.
"My government will put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, support the police and all those responsible for the public's safety and proceed with the development of ID cards."
EnvironmentEnvironment
In what it is describing as an "ambitious" Queen's Speech for the "aspiring majority", the government says it will push ahead with plans to implement the Turner report on pensions. The government says it will push ahead with longer-term plans to implement the Turner report on pensions.
These include restoring the link with earnings - a move welcomed by the Conservatives.These include restoring the link with earnings - a move welcomed by the Conservatives.
Tony Blair and David Cameron share a joke before the speechTony Blair and David Cameron share a joke before the speech
On the environment, the government will commit itself by law to a long-term goal of a 60% cut in carbon emission by 2050 and an independent panel to monitor progress.On the environment, the government will commit itself by law to a long-term goal of a 60% cut in carbon emission by 2050 and an independent panel to monitor progress.
But Mr Blair rejected Conservative calls for annual targets, saying a "colder than usual winter" or a drop in fuel prices could wreck them.But Mr Blair rejected Conservative calls for annual targets, saying a "colder than usual winter" or a drop in fuel prices could wreck them.
He also taunted Mr Cameron for "sitting on the fence" over nuclear power, with the prime minister saying it was necessary to help cut carbon emissions. He also accused Mr Cameron of "sitting on the fence" over nuclear power, with the prime minister saying it was necessary to help cut carbon emissions.
On Lords reform, ministers pledge to continue seeking a cross-party consensus before coming up with new legislation.On Lords reform, ministers pledge to continue seeking a cross-party consensus before coming up with new legislation.
But they remain committed to abolishing the remaining hereditary peers and holding a free vote on the composition of the second chamber.But they remain committed to abolishing the remaining hereditary peers and holding a free vote on the composition of the second chamber.
Also included are plans to:
  • Extend road pricing schemes
  • Give new powers to London's mayor
  • Scrap the Child Support Agency
  • Reform regulation of human embryology
  • Tighten regulation of estate agents
    • But as in recent years, it is the Home Office that will have the heaviest workload, with eight separate bills referred to in the programme.
    Sentencing reforms could see criminals caught red-handed lose the right to have their sentences cut by a third if they plead guilty, and tougher sentences for violent prisoners.
    Police will also be given the power to throw home-owners out of their properties within 48 hours for committing anti-social behaviour.
    Officers will also get new powers to seize criminal assets, in a fresh crackdown on organised crime.
    TerrorismTerrorism
    As in recent years, the Home Office that will have the heaviest workload, with eight separate bills referred to in the programme.
    The government must deliver a proper climate change bill in the Queen's Speech - not a watered-down version David CameronConservative leader Send us your comments
    Sentencing reforms could see criminals caught red-handed lose the right to have their sentences cut by a third if they plead guilty, and tougher sentences for violent prisoners.
    The immigration measures are expected to put into practice the plans unveiled in the summer for tighter immigration controls and firmer action against employers who use illegal immigrant labour.The immigration measures are expected to put into practice the plans unveiled in the summer for tighter immigration controls and firmer action against employers who use illegal immigrant labour.
    KEY PRIORITIES Tackling climate changeReforming pensionsCreating secure communitiesMeeting challenges of immigration and terrorismSource: Queen's speech Analysis: Will it outlast PM?
    On terrorism, no new bills were unveiled but the government said it would legislate to fill the "gaps" identified by Home Secretary John Reid's review of current capabilities and resources, "taking into account lessons learned" from the alleged airline terror plot last summer.On terrorism, no new bills were unveiled but the government said it would legislate to fill the "gaps" identified by Home Secretary John Reid's review of current capabilities and resources, "taking into account lessons learned" from the alleged airline terror plot last summer.
    Some ministers are said to be in favour of a new attempt to allow the detention of terrorism suspects for up to 90 days, before they are charged.Some ministers are said to be in favour of a new attempt to allow the detention of terrorism suspects for up to 90 days, before they are charged.
    Last year, a combination of Tory, Liberal Democrat and rebel Labour MPs defeated the government amid civil liberties fears, and pushed through a 28-day limit instead.
    Crossrail
    There are also plans to abolish jury trials in complex fraud cases.
    The government must deliver a proper climate change bill in the Queen's Speech - not a watered-down version David CameronConservative leader Send us your comments
    An amendment from the abandoned Mental Health Bill is likely to permit people with severe personality disorders to be given compulsory detention and treatment.
    In addition to the new measures unveiled, three bills have been carried over from the last session, covering welfare reform, corporate manslaughter and Crossrail.
    The session is scheduled to last until next November, and as Mr Blair has said he will stand down by next September, it will be his last one in office.The session is scheduled to last until next November, and as Mr Blair has said he will stand down by next September, it will be his last one in office.