Queen returns to public stage detailing UK government's new agenda

Queen Elizabeth II opened a new session of the UK parliament on Tuesday, in her first public appearance since the funeral of her late husband Prince Philip, as she revealed the Conservative government's post-pandemic legislative agenda. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, buoyant after his party's triumph in local and regional elections in England last week, is vowing to deliver on his mantra to "build back better" with a wide-ranging raft of policies. But he faces renewed questions over the UK's cohesion after pro-independence forces won a majority in elections to the Scottish parliament with pledges to hold another referendum on breaking away from the centuries-old union. Johnson's government, after rolling out a successful coronavirus vaccination drive, is intent on reopening the economy and refocusing on long-term promises to "level up" prosperity across Britain. "My government's priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before," the 95-year-old monarch said in a speech from a gilded throne in the upper House of Lords. - New legislation - The Queen said the government would introduce an...