Final preparations are being made at Westminster for tomorrow's set piece state opening of parliament and the Queen's Speech.

In one of the highlights of the parliamentary calendar, the Queen will address MPs and peers at 11.30am on Tuesday.

Her speech, which is in fact written by the government and approved by the Cabinet, will detail the flagship legislation set to be introduced in parliament over the coming months.

The state opening marks the beginning of a new parliamentary "session", with each usually running from one October or November to the next.

But with a general election widely expected in May next year, the new session is likely to be shorter than usual.

And with Labour seeking re-election, and the opposition parties gearing up for months of campaigning, the legislative programme will set the tone for much of the coming political debate.

Key policies

With parliamentary time limited, ministers have been engaged in key debates over their legislative priorities.

The Home Office is expected to be the major winner, securing more bills than any other department.

David Blunkett, the home secretary, has pledged a range of new measures to tackle issues ranging from anti-social behaviour through to reforming the regulation of the voluntary sector.

A bill to introduce identity cards is likely to provoke further controversy, while legislation to establish a Serious Organised Crime Agency may also be on the agenda.

The Department for Transport is likely to gain legislative time to implement its white paper on the future of the railways.

It will allow the department to take more direct control of the national rail system in order to reduce bureaucracy and poor planning, while scrapping the Strategic Rail Authority and devolving more powers to a local level.

New rules to deal with drink driving, speeding and uninsured drivers could also be given parliamentary time.

Education secretary Charles Clarke may also be given the chance to slim down the role of local education authorities and hand greater autonomy to schools.

State opening

The state opening of parliament will get underway on Tuesday morning.

After arriving at parliament, the Queen will deliver her speech from the throne in the House of Lords.

MPs will be summoned from the Commons at 11.30am by an official known as Black Rod, who will go through the traditional procedure of having the door to the lower chamber slammed in his face before knocking on it three times with his staff of office.

Following the address, Commons business will be suspended until 2.30pm when the party leaders debate the proposals set out earlier in the day.