国际英语新闻：Queen's speech contains packed agenda for new British coalition government

Part of the political reforms planned mean that a vote of 55 percent will be needed to defeat a motion of confidence in the government in the House of Commons.

The opposition Labor party's acting leader, Harriet Harman, said this was a sign of the weakness of the coalition government. "These coalition parties, lacking confidence in each other, are already preparing for the day when they shrink back from their loveless embrace," she said.

The night before the Queen's Speech, Prime Minister Cameron faced a backbench rebellion in his own party, the Conservatives.

When in government, backbench Conservative MPs (those not on the front benches, meaning those not serving as government ministers) have their own "trade union" called The 1922 Committee - - traditionally only backbenchers can join and frontbenchers are excluded. The committee acts as a powerfully voice of protest if MPs dislike government policy.

Cameron is well aware that his coalition government faces many challenges if it is to run its five-year course, and to head off backbench criticism early on, Cameron won a vote late last week to allow frontbenchers into the 1922 Committee. This would water down the voices of protest.

But senior Tory MPs lobbied strongly and Cameron conceded some ground to them on Monday evening, agreeing that although members of the government could attend the committee they could not vote for its officers.