The Queen’s Speech is the speech that the Queen reads out in the Lords Chamber on the occasion of the State Opening of Parliament. Although the Queen reads the Speech, it is the government that writes it. It contains an outline of its policies and proposed legislation for the new parliamentary session.
The latest Queen’s Speech took place on Tuesday 11 May 2021 and continues to gain mixed reviews. State opening happens on the first day of a new parliamentary session or shortly after a general election. This Tuesday 11 May 2021 is the start of the new 2021-22 parliamentary session under the leadership of Prime Minister Boris Johnson. And it follows the multiple elections of 6th May 2021. However, this state opening was adapted, having fewer ceremonial elements and those attending to make sure it was COVID-secure.
There are some who say that the Government missed an opportunity to propose legislation that the country really needs. But there are others who disagree and think that the proposals in it are good. So let’s take a closer look at the content of this year’s Queen’s speech.
What is Missing?
Social Care is an obvious one. The Queen’s Speech includes nine words “Later in the year we will bring forward proposals to reform adult social care”. And that is it. This is in complete contrast to Boris Johnson’s words in his first speech on the steps at No.10 Downing Street. He said then he had a “clear plan” to deal with social care once and for all. We are still waiting for the government to make the plan clear (pun intended).
Race Report follow up comes a close second for me. There was absolutely nothing in the Queen’s Speech about the infamous Race Report or any follow up on it. The report controversially plays down structural and systemic racism in what many see as an attempt to change the national conversation on race.
Employment Bill which would give proper rights to all employees from whey they start working. Also, it is a missed opportunity to increase the Living wage so people can live on what they earn.
Ending Northern Ireland Historic Crimes Prosecutions. The Government had promised it would bring forward a bill to end prosecutions for historic crimes committed in Northern Ireland. But it is a broken promise yet again as there is nothing in this Queen’s Speech on that issue.
Renewing Leases for Flat Owners is a flawed expensive process for many home owners. Government had indicated it would review the process making it easier and cheaper for flat owners to extend their lease. The Queen’s speech did not mention lease extension but it mentioned ground rent.
Social Housing Governance affects people who live in council and registered social association housing. The case of Grenfell Tower disaster highlighted the imbalance of power between social housing tenants and their landlords. There was nothing in the Queen’s speech to address this imbalance.
What is In but Dodgy
Levelling Up is a term that the Government has been using a lot lately. It is a phrase that probably means different things to different people. There was nothing in the speech to actually explain what it means just that “My Government will level up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic on public services”. A ‘Levelling-up Advisor’ has been appointed.
The Planning System is a favourite topic of conversation in communities. So, everyone has a tale or two of supposed wrong by planning and how planners cannot be trusted. Unfortunately, this sentiment comes from a place of serious misunderstanding. The Government has been blaming the planning system for not delivering enough houses. Infact, it is developers who sit on land enough to build 1 million homes, who are to blame. The Queen’s Speech says that “Laws to modernise the planning system, so that more homes can be built, will be brought forward“. This is the wrong solution for the right problem. Sir Oliver Letwin already proposed solutions in his 2018 report.
Some of the changes alluded to were first published in the Planning White Paper in August 2020. This paper was consulted on from August to October 2020. Many people are calling the proposed changes a complete disaster in the making. Some say it will make building more affordable housing more difficult. I agree with them.
Building Safety has been a hot topic since the Grenfell disaster of June 2017. There have been calls for Government to intervene and pay for removing flammable external cladding from high rise buildings. However a recent law passed in parliament did not support those calls. Instead the Queen’s Speech states “My Ministers will establish in law a new Building Safety Regulator to ensure that the tragedies of the past are never repeated“. The Regulator is to deliver a new approach to regulating the built environment. The bill is to implement the recommendations of the independent review led by Dame Judith Hackitt.
Conclusion
I can say there are both positive and negative aspects to this year’s Queen’s Speech. But these are my thoughts and I will leave you to make up your own mind. The full text is on the government’s website here.