The first monarch’s speech to Parliament written by a Labour Government in many years. It is reviewed by the Guardian, who welcome it as radical but not revolutionary departure from their predecessors empowering the state to make life better for people. They conclude by saying,
The conditions of frustration that have fuelled far-right insurgencies in many other democracies are not absent in Britain. To neutralise that threat, the prime minister is betting on state intervention to engineer conditions that will not only ease the cost of living crisis but restore public faith in politics in the process. There is no way to judge the feasibility of that plan before the hard work of implementation has begun. But as a statement of intent to apply a new ethos of government, the scale of Labour’s ambition is beyond doubt.
Guardian 17th July 2024
The FT list what they see as the key bills to be presented in the next parliamentary session. They, the MPs, are going to be busy.
The Gov.UK pages, the text of the speech, on the briefing notes landing page and briefing notes document which is 104 pages long.
Immigration and Borders
freemovement.org.uk comments on Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which basically offers what they promised but I can find no mention of the Hostile Environment.
Data and Digital
On data/digital they propose a Digital Innovation & Smart Data Bill, which we hope leaves behind the Tories big brother aspirations and my supplant the goals of the old Government Digital Service. Peter Wells, highlights some comments by Richard Pope.
Lots to agree with in here
— Peter Wells (@peterkwells) July 18, 2024
The approach that the original GDS used made a difference – for some people, and some services – but really really isn't suited to the whole of public serviceshttps://t.co/Jw8PFuo9Vq
and
*looks at data bill in King's Speech*
— Peter Wells (@peterkwells) July 17, 2024
*pats past Peter on back*
(& yes it looks like some contentious bits have currently made it thru…) https://t.co/OoGeRYoxAR
Digital Policy has moved to DSIT, who have not at the time of writing published the individual responsibilities of the political directorate.
See also What-bills-are-included-in-the-kings-speech-and-what-will-they-do from the Guardian which makes mention of a Cyber security and resilience bill: Another technical bill about protecting digital services.
Final Thoughts
I need to check on that they say on Water industry regulation and the two child benefit cap.