UK News 07-12-2000 Hague: Queen`s Speech Is All Spin who: William Hague what: Says government`s plans are "all spin and no delivery" where: House of Commons, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: Tony Blair alluded to the BBC`s top quiz show yesterday when he called William Hague the Tories` "weakest link" after the opposition leader dismissed the contents of the Queen`s speech as "all spin and no delivery". These "highly political broadsides" took place in an "electioneering atmosphere" says The Telegraph`s political editor George Jones. Both leaders are clearly eager to begin campaigning for the expected May 3rd 2001 general election day. The Queen`s Speech, prepared by the government, opened the new session of parliament and contained 15 named Bills with the focus on "improving public services and cutting crime". Measures to cut crime will target "drunken yobs, kerb-crawlers and cowboy car-clampers," says The Evening Standard. A £220million extra spending package for schools and £172million for colleges was announced; there were also plans to outlaw hunting; and a declaration that NATO will remain "the foundation of Britain`s defence" - a reference to the controversial planned European Rapid Reaction Force. However, continues The Standard, "ministers know full well that, in a session of half the usual length, many of the more controversial measures are unlikely to reach the statute book". [... more]

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