Tradition Yields to TV as Queen Opens Parliament

Queen Elizabeth II, in a pageant redolent of medieval history, opened Parliament today by outlining her government’s plans, which for the first time was debated in the House of Commons under the bright lights of television.

The 63-year-old monarch donned reading glasses to tell her assembled lords, ladies and members of the Commons that her ministers will not slacken their pace of reforms.

She said her ministers will guide Britain through 15 major bills before Parliament in the coming year and pledged their support for cleaning up the environment, anti-terrorism measures and the move toward democracy in the East Bloc. All are priorities of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“They will lend every possible encouragement and support to the remarkable changes taking place in Poland, Hungary and now in East Germany,” the queen said. “They will work to ensure that these take place within a stable Europe.”

History was made when the queen retreated to Buckingham Palace as bells rang in Westminster Abbey, signaling the debut of television coverage of the House of Commons.

More than 30 years of debate on use of TV preceded the opening of a new era in the Commons, whose 650 members received weeks of coaching on how to perform for the cameras.

Conservative member of Parliament Ian Gow reduced the normally serious members to laughter by reminding them that, according to a letter they received offering advice on hairstyles and spectacles, of the image they convey on television “only 7% depends on what you’re saying.”