The Throne Speech Debate

The "address in reply" to the throne speech - that is, the throne speech debate - falls under government business. In our Assembly members debate the speech for up to 10 sitting days, after which they vote to approve it or not. Because the debate often covers most of the government's plans for that session, watching it from a Chamber gallery or reading the Hansard transcript gives you a good idea of what those plans are and how both government and opposition see them working.