The United Kingdom’s government has outlined its plans to tackle crime, boost economic growth, and water down climate change measures in its King’s Speech, a move seen as an attempt to draw a dividing line with the opposition Labour Party before the forthcoming election. According to analysts, the agenda lacks significant new proposals, but is instead a collection of ideas Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has worked on since taking office. The government’s focus is on reducing the burden of climate change targets on households and toughening sentences for violent offenders, with plans to phase out tobacco sales to young people in England and outlaw no-fault evictions for renters, aimed at winning over younger voters.
The King’s Speech signals the government’s intention to move ahead with the Sentencing Bill, which will bring forward tougher jail sentences for the most serious offenders, and reiterated its pledge to boost economic growth and reduce inflation, with no indication of tax cuts. However, the opposition Labour Party has criticized the speech, accusing the government of offering “only gimmicks, division and more of the same”. Labour leader Keir Starmer described the speech as a day “when it became crystal clear that the change Britain needs is from Tory decline to Labour renewal”.
Rishi Sunak (Via Rishi Sunak/Twitter)
The government’s plans have been met with criticism from environmentalists, who fear that the decision to delay a ban on sales of new petrol cars will hinder progress towards achieving net zero by 2050. Despite this, the government remains committed to reaching this goal and plans to hold North Sea oil and gas licencing rounds annually to help achieve it. With Labour holding a significant lead in the polls, Sunak’s government faces an uphill struggle to win back voters and may be hoping that its agenda can help turn things around. The King’s Speech has set the stage for a fierce election battle between the two main parties.
