'Respect' key to Blair third term
Creating a "culture of respect" and reform of the public services are at the heart of the Queen's Speech.

Howard mocks Blair's priorities
Tony Blair's priorities for a third term sound very much like Tory election pledges, Michael Howard says.

Kennedy vows loud 'liberal voice'
Government attempts to introduce "illiberal" measures will meet staunch Lib Dem opposition, warns Charles Kennedy.

ID card scheme unveiled
Controversial plans to introduce a compulsory ID card scheme have been unveiled in the Queen's Speech.

Points system plan for migrants
A points system for migrants to the UK is among a raft of measures to tighten the immigration and asylum system.

Hospital hygiene shake-up
Plans to tackle MRSA are to be included in one of three health bills in the next parliament.

Blair seeks respect in final term in office
Tony Blair is seeking to secure his legacy and complete radical reform of public services and welfare, but will his rebels let him do it, asks Nick Assinder?

School choice promise for parents
The Queen's Speech announces that the school system must become more responsive to parents.

New plans to combat voting fraud
An offence of fraudulently applying for a postal vote is part of plans to boost confidence in the electoral system.

Mothers get more paid leave
Greater rights for working parents and new consumer credit rules form a major part of the Queen's Speech.

Plans to protect UK countryside
Plans to better protect and manage wildlife and habitats and to increase support for rural communities have been unveiled in the Queen's Speech.

New laws for London Olympics bid
New laws are announced to help manage the Olympics, if London's bid to host the 2012 games is successful.

Sex offenders face lie detectors
Sex offenders released from jail on licence will face lie detector tests as they are quizzed about their movements.

Religious hatred proposal revived
Ministers bring back plans for a new offence of inciting religious hatred, but insist it will not affect the right to ridicule or criticise.

Queen's speech targets business
Measures aimed at slashing corporate red tape and making firms accountable for fatal accidents at work are unveiled in the Queen's speech.

Legal aid overhaul plan unveiled
A bill to overhaul the legal aid system in the Queen's Speech is aimed at "making the best use of limited resources".

Warning over benefit reform
The Disability Rights Commission says plans to reform incapacity benefit could misfire if people are portrayed as 'work shy'

Can law tackle bad behaviour?
Tony Blair is promising new laws to crack down on yobs. But can legislation really solve the problem of anti-social behaviour.

Radical reform of public sector
The prime minister has signalled that he wants to put further reform of the public services at the heart of his third term in office.

Corporate manslaughter issues
Fresh from an election victory, the Labour government is widely expected to introduce a corporate manslaughter bill.

Is Britain's future really nuclear?
Is nuclear power really the answer to Britain's bid to tackle global warming?

How big a threat is MRSA really?
"Killer superbugs" have plagued the headlines, but how much of a threat is MRSA to you and I?

Full text of the Queen's Speech
Here is the full text of the Queen's Speech delivered to Peers and MPs on 17 May 2005.

Welsh assembly reform
Increasing the assembly's law-making powers are among plans announced at the State Opening of Parliament.

ID cards face Scots opposition
Plans in the Queen's Speech to bring in identity cards could cause tensions between Westminster and Holyrood.