London:
Rarely has the Queen's speech at the annual state opening of Parliament in Britain attracted such controversy. It is usually a statement of policy and intention by the government. But with barely 6 months left for the next general elections, that could return the Conservatives to power after 13 years out in the cold, the opposition says the PM Gordon Brown has resorted to desperate measures using the speech to draw out the election battle lines.
"My government will continue to reform and strengthen regulation of the financial services industry, to ensure greater protection for savers and tax payers," read out the Queen in her speech, the content of which is usually given by the government.
The PM has put economic recovery at the heart of his final set of plans for the next general elections including regulating financial excesses and halving the budget deficit in 4 years. It also includes giving Pakistan and Afghanistan aid of 1 billion pounds in the next 4 years.
Although the weather might be getting colder, politics is surely heating up in Great Britain. The opposition says Prime Miniser Gordon Brown has politicised the state opening of parliament and used the Queen's speech to set out ruling Labour party's election manifesto. It has really set the stage for what is anticipated to be one of the most bitterly fought elections in the UK for a while.
Gordon brown says its business as usual, but most analysts say both leaders have now realised the time has come for a bare knuckle fight.