Pageantry over, time for politics

By David Porter
Westminster correspondent, BBC Scotland

The Queen's speech was a grand occasion

There was pomp, there was ceremony, sights and sounds galore and the Sovereign arriving at one of her royal palaces in a horse drawn carriage.

As always, it was quite a spectacle. But this was a Queen's speech with a difference.

MPs knew the government's legislative plans long before they were summoned to see the monarch.

Gordon Brown has already announced his intentions back in July - as always, the Queen read the speech but it was written and directed by the government.

Hence we got this type of thing enunciated in regal tones: 'My government's programme will meet my people's aspirations for better education, housing, health care and children's services and for a cleaner environment.''

It's hard to argue with that kind of sentiment - extra homes, more apprenticeships, personalised health care and pensions - aren't the stuff of huge political rows.

Terrorist suspects

But more controversial was this: ''My government will seek a consensus for changes to the law on terrorism so that the police and other agencies have the powers they need to protect the public, whilst preserving essential rights and liberties.''

The government has not said how long the police should be able to detain terrorist suspects without charge. The opposition parties will oppose any extension.

But there's also a constitutional subtext to the speech. Much of the hard political slog over the next year will NOT just focus on the controversial bits.

The Queen laid out aspirations for her government

Post devolution, just how important is the unveiling of the London government's legislative programme to people in Scotland?

As always, it's a bits and pieces answer. Some of the provisions will affect Scotland directly, others will not and, at best, can only be regarded as peripheral.

The Scotland Office, whose job it is to bat for Scotland in Whitehall, was in no doubt. It pointed out the majority of bills (21 of the 24 announced) applied to Scotland.

Ministers said the legislation would have a major impact in Scotland, bringing changes to areas such as work, retirement, energy and the environment.

Others argue now the Holyrood parliament is responsible for so much of what directly affects the lives of people in Scotland. The role of Westminster should not be over-estimated.

Sewel approach

But as in so much to do with politics, it's never that simple. It's not black and white, rather shades of grey.

Regarding the Queen's Speech and its impact in Scotland, Scottish ministers have also signalled their readiness to "Sewel" elements of the programme.

At it's simplest, that means they'll ask MSPs to agree that Westminster can legislate, by agreement, in certain limited devolved areas. It's designed to avoid duplication and avoid MPs and MSPs largely discussing the same issues.

The speech is written and directed by government

Bruce Crawford, the minister for parliamentary business at Holyrood, has indicated he backs a Sewel approach to reforms to the regulation of health care professions, a new framework for targets in reducing carbon emissions and transferring cash from dormant bank accounts to the public benefit.

So why is this largely technical advice important?

Well, it tells us how the governments in London (Labour) and Edinburgh (SNP) are getting on.

It shows that SNP ministers are prepared to co-operate with Westminster where necessary.

And also that ministers and officials in London are willing to share detailed information behind the scenes about their plans.

Despite all the recent talk of spats and fallings out, it shows there is still significant co-operation.

So the pageantry for now is over. The politics is in full swing.