King's Speech Analysis
HM King Charles III has today set out his Government’s plans for the forthcoming Parliamentary session. The King declared that his Government’s legislative programme will be "mission-led" and based upon the principles of "security, fairness and opportunity for all".
Analysis from Simon Burton OBE, Lexington Senior Counsel
This is the real moment that a Leader of the Opposition yearns for. When you win, you get Downing Street, increased media profile, and international summits. The State Opening of Parliament is perhaps the most substantive display of the shift in power that takes place following an election. It is the opportunity for a new administration to set the legislative agenda – to determine what they want Parliament to focus on, what laws to change, and how to seek to improve lives and the fabric of the nation. As they proceed from the Commons to the Lords making polite chit-chat, much as they did last time the King opened Parliament in November, both Starmer and Sunak will fully understand their contrasting fortunes since they last took this walk together. In politics, the winner really does take it all.
Despite the change in the political colour of Downing Street, some things remain – the pre-briefing of the contents of the King’s Speech is one of them. As such there were few surprises in the bills announced. We see a focus on economic growth via planning reform, the creation of a National Wealth Fund, devolution, and employment rights. The formation of GB Energy and a special measures regime for the water companies also feature prominently. It is interesting too that Labour is making a virtue of being able to deliver legislation in areas the previous administration failed to progress such as rail reform, renters’ rights, football governance, and tobacco and vapes. This action represents a departure from the Conservatives more clearly than any rhetoric could hope to achieve – basically saying “we will deliver what you failed to do”.
It is unlikely that the Government will confirm how long the session will be, but given the number of bills announced, we can expect it to last around two years. The bills announced today may not be introduced for some months – it takes time to consult and draft measures to be included. We can expect a handful of political priorities to be introduced this side of the summer recess, but they are unlikely to make much progress until the autumn. There will also be legislation brought forward that is not mentioned today – the phrase ‘other measures’ can do a lot of heavy lifting.
Less contentious bills will be introduced to the House of Lords to ensure that there is a balanced programme across both Houses. There is a huge Government majority in the Commons, but not in the Lords. Peers take their scrutiny role seriously, so this is likely to be the place the Government’s feet are held to the fire. It will be worth focusing on the Lords in the coming months and years for this very reason.
New MPs will be looking forward to getting stuck in, although the Labour Whips will be hoping that they remain compliant and don’t come up with too many ideas of how they can ‘improve’ legislation. This likely discipline is also a challenge for industry – getting the Commons to change bills that don’t quite work or have unintended consequences will be a whole lot more difficult following the thumping majority delivered on polling day.
After an election that seemed to take an age to arrive, today’s speech contained a significant agenda to kick off the new era. Now we have the first bills to focus on as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer MP seeks to deliver the change he promised. With 40 bills and commitments announced, it is a bumper programme and promises to be a busy time in Parliament.
The full list of Bills and legislative measures
Economic Stability and Growth
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Great British Energy and Clean Energy Superpower
Secure borders, cracking down on anti-social behaviour, and take back our streets
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Break down the barriers to opportunity
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Health
National security and serving the country