As we anticipate the first King’s Speech under the new Labour government this Wednesday, it’s crucial to consider the potential themes and implications.
Two weeks on from the General Election, this is where the tone for Labour’s term in office will be set and where the real hard work of Government begins.
The Government’s agenda as laid out in the speech is likely to be ambitious and far-reaching – more than just a list of individual Bills that Labour will hope to push through Parliament. There may well be wording on new consultations they’ll want to launch over the next year too.
The speech, or at least the briefings around it, will probably spell out the term of this Parliament. Typically, parliamentary sessions are one year, November to November (hence the nursery rhyme and Guy Fawkes night), so this session may well last 16 months.
But much like the election campaign, this should be viewed as a no risk King’s speech. A nod to Reform voters with new laws on immigration, and a nod to Green voters with a likely mention of COP 29 later this year and other environmental objectives.
We should expect to see a clear commitment to tackle the pressing issues of our time for Labour’s core base; housing, economic inequality, and improving access to mental health care.A large degree of the pre-briefing over the weekend has been focused on Labour’s ambition to grow our economy. But rather than reaction from voters, Number 10 will be particularly concerned about how this will land with the business community, particularly small and medium enterprises.
Brexit’s aftermath and its impact on UK-EU relations will likely feature in the speech. Labour may outline strategies to mitigate any negative effects of Brexit and strengthen ties with the EU, and the government’s stance on other international issues, such as trade agreements and global conflicts. Often these are mentioned in the same breath as any international trips the Monarchy is planning on taking, such as King Charles’ visit to Australia later this year.
The public’s response will be telling. Labour supporters will welcome progressive policies, but there may be opposition from conservative quarters. Its tone and content could significantly influence public opinion and Labour’s future political trajectory.
As we await the speech, it’s important to consider these potential themes and their implications for the UK’s political, economic, and social landscape. It represents not just the start of a new government, but potentially a new direction for the country.
However, some will argue that the Government’s ambitious agenda may be challenging to implement given the current economic climate. Others are questioning whether the proposed measures will suffice to address the deep-seated issues facing society. Will Labour really ‘Change’ Britain?
