LONDON: The King’s Speech was delivered on Tuesday outlining the intentions of Sir Keir Starmer’s new government, the government are promising “national renewal”.
The goodwill between the Labour Party and the Conservative Party was apparent when they arrived in pairs at the House of Commons, PM Keir with former PM Rishi Sunak, Angela Rainer Deputy PM with Oliver Dowden former Deputy PM, Yvette Cooper Home Secretary with James Cleverly former Home Secretary and they were all very apparently in good spirits.
The British excel at ceremonial pomp and tradition, a class act was presented. The King wore the Imperial State Crown with the 317ct Cullinan II diamond.
King Charles III was word perfect reading the text that contained 40 new bills, which is at the extreme end of what is possible, 25 bills are more usual; implementation will depend on good luck, good judgement and the professionalism of those involved in implementing them once they are passed as Acts. The text ended with the ominous words “Other measures will be laid before you”, which to Conservatives suggests the devil is in the detail.
Some notable elements of the bill:
The intention is to build growth across the board, economically, more housing, more jobs, more energy, more nationalisation, more fairness and prioritising wealth creations and living standards across communities. What used to be called “levelling up” is still an intention by raising education standards and breaking down barriers for opportunity, including home rental reforms. A new Industrial Strategy Council will be responsible for oversight.
Although Labour has a working majority of 180 there might be some individual conflict for constituency MPs, between what the centre wants and what constituents want regarding housing and solar on their doorsteps.
Growth is expected to come from reform to sclerotic housing and planning regulations and hopefully the necessary accompanying public infrastructure, industry, skills, nationalised public services, new technology and artificial intelligence developments. The latter two are another sign of Labour’s last PM Tony Blair’s influence.
VAT on private schools will be introduced, this has been a long term goal of Labour’s; the government declared significant tax and spending changes will be subject to an independent assessment by the Office for Budget Responsibility, the key word here is “significant”, like many aspects of the intentions the nitty-gritty is obfuscated, the same was true of the manifesto.
A new Border Security Command with enhanced counter terror powers to tackle organised immigration crime and asylum seekers will be introduced.
A Great British Energy Bill will develop, own and operate assets in partnership with the private sector, with £8.3billion investment over the next five years.
The UK government will continue to give its full support to Ukraine and will endeavour to play a leading role in providing latter with a clear path to NATO membership. NATO, the Armed Forces, UK’s nuclear deterrent and Ukraine will all receive continued support; a Strategic Defence Review has already been initiated.
“Exploitative practices” in the work place will be banned in favour of enhanced employment rights. Good news for workers but could be tough for some employers. Race equality will be lawfully enshrined to the full right to equal pay.
The 10 “Metro Mayors” are to receive greater powers; devolved decision making is a theme of Labour’s governance. Eight railway networks are to go back into public ownership under the title Great British Railways; all the nationalisation and devolution plans will provide thousands of jobs.
National terrorism is all its manifestations is going to be addressed.
A Bill will progressively increase the age at which people can buy cigarettes and impose limits on the sale and marketing of vapes, there will also be legislation to restrict advertising of junk food to children along with the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children.
A football regulator is to be introduced, Starmer is an Arsenal supporter.
Both the cigarette restrictions and the football regulator are carryover ideas from Sunak’s Conservative government.
Trade, investment and security relations with the EU are in for a re-negotiation at the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, Starmer denies this is undoing Brexit although one could be forgiven for jumping to conclusions.
The good news is the government is committed to securing long term peace in the Middle East, and a two state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
Perpetuating Labour’s ubiquitous anti-aristocracy ideology, measures will be introduced to modernise the constitution, including House of Lords reform to abolish the right of the current 92 hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords; the end of a system whose roots go back to the C11th.
It is notable how many correspondents are overtly demonstrating acceptance of and possible loyalty to Starmer in their news columns in a bid for access. The new PM is being called handsome, charismatic and manly. Starmer is known to be a liberal lefty, perhaps considering his past he is more left than people are aware of, will his new measured approach and conviction of his own integrity realise the change he so desperately advocates.