His Majesty The King attended Parliament yesterday to open the new parliamentary session, following the recent General Election.
The King’s Speech included some positive measures which I welcome; most notably a commitment to Martyn’s Law, which the Conservative Government had previously introduced with the ambition of improving protection against terrorism in public places.
I also welcome the new Government’s commitment to establish an independent football regulator. The Fan Led Review of Football was conducted while I was Minister for Sport and I committed to bringing in an independent regulator – and I am confident the proposals will continue to receive cross party support.
The Speech also contained a commitment to NATO and our nuclear deterrent which we have not always heard so clearly from Labour. The Speech also contained a commitment to support for Ukraine and for a two state solution in the Middle East.
However, there are a number of measures within the speech that were light on detail and that will need further scrutiny.
The Labour Government has proposed new employment legislation and changes to the labour market. But in the UK our unemployment rate is far lower than the European average – thanks in part to our flexible labour market. Business leaders have raised concerns about the consequences of Labour’s plans, which could lead to firms being less likely to invest and less likely to hire, ultimately increasing unemployment in the long term. The new government has inherited the fastest growing economy in the G7 so far this year, with inflation at 2% and unemployment at 4%. It would be irresponsible to jeopardise this progress by placing new burdens on businesses. Overall there was very little in the King’s Speech on support for business and the private sector.
The King’s Speech also reaffirmed the Labour Government’s reforms to the planning system, which we know includes plans to ‘accelerate’ the Worcestershire Parkway development. We don’t really know what this means and nor do we know how the supporting infrastructure will be enabled and paid for. Their plans also include giving greater powers over planning to Angela Rayner and Whitehall – over local decision makers - while at the same time the King’s Speech contains plans to enhance powers for (largely Labour run) Metro Mayors. During the election campaign I expressed grave concerns about Labour's instincts to make top down decisions that impact the countryside from offices in Whitehall, and it is telling that their manifesto contained just 87 words on farming, and the King’s Speech made no mention of rural communities or priorities.
I shall be seeking further information and assurances from appropriate ministers in the coming weeks, to ensure that the concerns of local residents continue to be heard and considered.
And as for their plans to introduce VAT on private school fees I am convinced this is more likely to cost the tax payer more in the long run and will put more, not less, pressure on state schools.
