Brown looks to regain initiative in first Queen's speech

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Nov 6, 2007, 8:09 GMT

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown walks back to No.10 Downing Street after inspecting the Guard of Honour with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and the Duke of Edinburgh at Horse Guards Parade, 30 October 2007 during the King\'s three-day state visit to the UK. EPA/Gerry Penny

(M&C) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown will seek to regain the political initiative in his first Queen's speech as prime minister at the State Opening of Parliament.

Key areas of the prime minister's policy platform will be outlined by the Queen including education reform, climate change, changes to political funding and an extension of the detention time allowed for terror suspects.

Mr Brown had enjoyed a rise in support following his takeover of the prime minister's job in June however recent opinion polls have the Labour party slipping behind a rejuvenated Tory party. Analysts have claimed popular support fell away from Mr Brown after he failed to call an election in October as he had hinted.

The latest opinion poll conducted for The Times shows only 49 percent of respondents believe Mr Brown has the capacity to make a good prime minister. The figure is down five points from last month and ten points from his high during the summer.

The Queen's speech opens the parliament and sets out the government agenda for the parliamentary year. Colleagues have called on Mr Brown to seize the opportunity to outline his "vision" for the future of the country.