King Charles III today outlined over 35 pieces of legislation that prime minister Keir Starmer will focus on for the opening year or so of his government.
The new Labour government’s plans include “getting Britain building” by delivering 1.5 million homes and nationalising the country’s railways, King Charles announced.
A day of pomp and ceremony will now give way to weeks of intense political attacks as Keir Starmer and the opposition parties debate the proposals.
Relive the key moments of Keir Starmer’s first State Opening of Parliament as PM, from its time-honoured traditions — some innocuous and others arcane — to the pointed political jousting…
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Black Rod summons MPs
Before she could enter the House of Commons to “summons” MPs to hear the Speech from the Throne, Black Rod had the chamber doors slammed in her face.
Black Rod is a senior officer in the House of Lords, responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the House and its precincts. In full, her title is Lady Usher of the Black Rod.
As is tradition, the doors were slammed to symbolise the commons’ independence from the monarchy.
Sarah Clarke, who was appointed as Black Rod in 2017, then entered the commons after banging on the door.
©House of Commons
Next, she addressed the chamber, inviting MPs to join peers in the House of Lords.
“Mr Speaker, the King commands this honourable House to attend His Majesty immediately in the House of Peers”, she said.
Charles III delivers the ‘Speech from the Throne’
After the Speaker led MPs into the House of Lords — to which they departed two-by-two, giving plenty of opportunity for idle chit-chat, they stopped before the “bar of the house”, a line beyond which they cannot venture.
The boundary means only a few dozen MPs are able to squeeze into the Lords chamber.
The Lord Chancellor and justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, then walked to the Lords’ golden throne where the King was seated, presenting him with the speech written by the government.
King Charles III read the speech deadpan, offering no sign that he agreed or dissented from any aspect of the government’s new legislative agenda.
In total, the King’s Speech — divided under six headers, namely “Economic stability and growth,” “Great British Energy and clean energy superpower”, “Secure borders, cracking down on anti social behaviour and take back our streets”, “Break down the barriers to opportunity”, “Health” and “National security and serving the country” — saw 40 new bills announced.
King’s speech: Full list of the announced bills
King’s Speech 2024: Full list of bills
MPs return to Commons as King’s Speech debate begins
MPs returned to the House of Commons at 2.30 pm to begin the debate over the King’s Speech.
The Debate on the Address normally lasts for five to six days, and the motion is phrased as: “An Humble Address” to His Majesty thanking him for his gracious speech.
©House of Commons. Pictured: Peter Dowd MP (Bootle, Labour)
The task of moving the motion is regarded as an honour and is given to two government backbenchers. They are typically a contrasting pair with different constituencies, one a relative newcomer and the other a long-serving Member.
Peter Dowd, who has served as an MP since 2015, proposed the “Loyal Address”. Florence Eshalomi, an MP since 2019, acted as the seconder.
As is convention, their speeches were not contentious and contained both humour and flattering references to their constituencies and colleagues.
Then it was the turn of the Leader of the Opposition who, observing convention, began by congratulating the proposer and seconder of the Loyal Address.
Later in his speech, Rishi Sunak mocked his unlikely rise to (and fall from) power, as he issued advice to newly elected MPs.
“On the government benches life comes at you fast”, the former PM joked, adding: “Soon you might be fortunate enough to be tapped on the shoulder and be offered a junior ministerial role, then you’ll find yourself attending cabinet, then in the cabinet and then when the prime minister’s position becomes untenable you might end up being called to the highest office.
“And before you know it you have a bright future behind you and you’re left wondering whether you can credibly be an elder statesman at the age of 44.”
Responding, Keir Starmer claimed his policy agenda can counter the “snake oil charm of populism”.
The new prime minister said his government will deliver “nothing less than national renewal” and said what people really want is “change”.
He added: “A King’s Speech that takes the brakes off our economy, and shows to the British people that politics can be a force for good. A vehicle for improving the lives of millions – no matter who you voted for.”
Analysis: ‘Keir Starmer unveils change agenda…’
King’s Speech verdict: Keir Starmer unveils ‘change’ agenda — now he must deliver
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on X/Twitter here.
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