Trevor McDonald presents the opening few minutes of the nightly news on Tuesday, 24th November, 1998 - that historic day on which the concept of hereditary peers was abolished. (The fact that, 25+ years later, we still have hereditary peers should tell you all you need to know about the way the world works.) Needless to say, Tony Blair and William Hague politely discuss well-founded good-faith political points of view with dignity and decorum. Paddy Ashdown's there, too.
Other parts of the Queen's speech include welfare reform, giving the NHS a helping hand, the 'modernisation of the country', and a vote on lowering the same-sex age of consent. Knowing what we know now, I can think of some members who might have been of the opinion that that last one didn't go far enough.
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2:08 Promo
2:39 News
Many thanks to ‪@David315842‬ for sending me this tape.
(If you're a copyright holder and have any objections, please feel free to contact me. Alternatively, I haven't monetised the video, so you're welcome to do so, and that way everybody wins.)