Britain’s new Labour government promised to end an “era of politics as performance” in the ceremonial King’s Speech.
The United Kingdom’s King Charles III on Wednesday set out the new Labour government’s legislative agenda, promising to focus on economic growth and tackling issues ranging from housing shortages to illegal immigration.
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“Securing economic growth will be a fundamental mission,” the King said in a speech written for him by the new elected UK Government.
The monarch’s speech at Westminster marked the state opening of Parliament with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. The Labour Party swept into power with a landslide in UK’s general election held early this month.
“My government will govern in service to the country,” said the King. “My government’s legislative programme will be mission-led and based on the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all.”
The King said the government will “get Britain building” as they seek to accelerate the delivery of “high-quality infrastructure and housing.”
Making good on Labour’s promise to fix the cost-of-living crisis with clean power, the government will introduce a bill to set up Great British Energy, a publicly-owned clean power company headquartered in Scotland, which is expected to help accelerate investment in renewable energy such as offshore wind.
The King also confirmed Labour’s plan to renationalize the country’s passenger railway network as the new government seeks to establish a more efficient and reliable rail service for passengers.
The speech pledged extra powers for law enforcement to investigate people smuggling, including stopping and searching at the border, and the creation of a new Border Security Command. It also promised to clear Britain’s vast asylum backlog.
A bill will be introduced to modernize the country’s asylum and immigration system, the King said, with the establishment of a new Border Security Command to strengthen the border and make streets safer.
The UK government will also seek to “reset” the relationship with European partners and work to improve the country’s trade and investment relationship with the European Union, according to the speech.
