Gordon Brown's attempt to recapture the political initiative in the Queen's Speech was heavily criticised by David Cameron today, who accused the Prime Minister of presiding over a "culture of spin, deceit and half truths".

Mr Brown used today's annual showpiece to unveil a packed legislative agenda with major Bills on subjects such as security, housing, education and the environment.

But opening the subsequent House of Commons debate, the Tory leader immediately went on the attack, mocking the Prime Minister as weak for his decision to back off from an early election this autumn.

In that part of the debate traditionally reserved for tributes to deceased MPs, he even compared him to his predecessor, Tony Blair, dipping theatrically into a biography of the former Prime Minister that described his concerns "about Gordon’s character and personality, the dark side of his nature, his paranoia and his inability to collaborate".

Expert View

There were no surprises in today's statement, and virtually all the measures had been foreshadowed

Peter Riddell

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"Say what you like about Tony Blair, at least he was decisive," Mr Cameron added, referring to Mr Brown's electoral climbdown.

"Isn’t it the case that the only real change we’ve had is to swap a strong Prime Minister for a weak one?"

The bad-natured debate appeared to set the tone for Mr Brown's first full parliamentary session as Prime Minister, when his government will try to push through no less than 28 Bills and draft Bills designed to "respond to the rising aspirations" of the British people.

The more controversial measures will include an attempt to tighten up anti-terror legislation, extending the 28-day limit for holding terror suspects without charge and allowing them to be questioned even after charges have been laid.

The Bills also include measures to keep teenagers in education and training until the age of 18, plans for more affordable and social housing through a new Homes and Communities Agency, and reforms to the pension system.

"My Government will take forward policies to respond to the rising aspirations of the people of the United Kingdom, to ensure security for all, and to entrust more power to Parliament and the people," the Queen told a joint session of Parliament, including peers clad in their red and ermine ceremonial robes.

After the Northern Rock crisis, the Government promised legislation to protect depositors and ensure confidence in the banking system. And the speech confirmed that that proposals would be brought forward to "renew the constitutional settlement" and strengthen the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the people.

Mr Brown also wants a declaration of British values, and a possible move to a full written constitution.

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