The Queen's Speech is written by her Ministers and apart for some minor discussion of plans for state visits it sets out the outline of what the government hopes to do during the session.

There is then a multi-day debate in which first the Prime Minister and the party leaders (and even a few backbenchers) discuss the overall situation and then the Minister and opposition party spokesmen (and some more backbenchers) debate particular policy areas. At the end the House passes a motion thanking the Queen for her most gracious speech. Rejection of the motion would amount to a vote of no confidence in the government.

The Opposition parties also have some days during the session when they can raise whatever issue they want and get someone from the government to respond.