It was an enormous honour to be involved in the ceremony around the King’s Speech.
Their Majesties came to Parliament to open the second session and to set out the Government’s legislative programme for the next year. More than 30 bills will build on the legislation of the first session, fulfilling more of the commitments made at the General Election.
Pomp and ceremony is something our nation does well but behind all that is a serious programme for the next stage in government.
Falling inflation and interest rates coupled with the highest growth in the G7 shows the wisdom of earlier budgets but the current conflict around the Straits of Hormuz threatens to derail some of that progress and means tackling the cost of living remains a priority. But even when progress returns there can be no return to the status quo.
The last economic crash, austerity, the Truss budget, Covid and Ukraine all altered what was normal which is why this King’s Speech will make lasting change in the interests of working people. Lower bills will result from securing energy independence. Our essential infrastructure will be secured by, for example, steel public ownership.
It’s about having an active state with an NHS Bill, an Education for All Bill and Police Reform. A Clean Water Bill will clean up our rivers and seas, and an EU Bill will deepen our partnership with the EU to repair the damage of Brexit. These are just a taste of what’s to come in our bid to build a stronger, fairer future and restore hope to our country.