Boris Johnson's claim that it is normal for a new PM to hold a Queen's speech is not borne out by recent precedent

Gordon Brown allowed the 2007 session to run until the end of October; when it did end, he reopened parliament six days later

Session ends 125 days

after becoming PM

Queen’s speech

six days later

After assuming office, Theresa May did not prorogue parliament at all, it was dissolved when she called the 2017 election; in her first ‘term’ she held no Queen's speech

Session ends 288 days after becoming PM

Boris Johnson assumed office just as parliament entered recess in July; he prorogued it a week after it returned, and for an unusually long time

47 days

35 days

Gordon Brown allowed the 2007 session to run until the end of October; when it did end, he reopened parliament six days later

Session ends 125 days

after becoming PM

Queen’s speech

six days later

After assuming office, Theresa May did not prorogue parliament at all, it was dissolved when she called the 2017 election; in her first ‘term’ she held no Queen's speech

Session ends 288 days after becoming PM

Boris Johnson assumed office just as parliament entered recess in July; he prorogued it a week after it returned, and for an unusually long time

47 days

35 days