Queen Elizabeth Speech To Uplift And Give More Economic Assurances To Brits: A Boost For The PM

Boris Johnson has promised to get the country "back on track" as the government unveils its plans for the year ahead in the Queen's Speech. The speech will pledge to cut the cost of living and boost economic growth, as 38 parliamentary bills are unveiled.

Ministers will also recommit to tougher penalties for protest groups, like Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion, who use disruptive tactics.

Labour said the Tories were not up to the challenge of growing the economy.

A spokesperson for the party said the Conservative government had been responsible for low economic growth and high taxes.

Prince Charles will deliver the address to Parliament at 11:30 BST, after the Queen pulled out on Monday due to what Buckingham Palace called "episodic mobility problems".

The Imperial State Crown will still be brought to Parliament - and the Queen's throne will remain empty, with Prince Charles, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince William expected to be seated in front of the assembled parliamentarians.

The speech will open with a promise to grow the economy, ease the financial burden on households and pursue the government's levelling up programme aimed at tackling regional disparities in the UK.

In a House of Commons debate following the speech, the prime minister is expected to argue the government "cannot simply spend our way out of the country's problems" arguing that the answer lies instead in creating high waged, high skilled jobs.

There will also be seven bills which ministers argue deliver the benefits of Brexit and a Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is expected to change planning rules in England after previous proposals led to a backbench rebellion.

Protesters will have a tough time going forward
A Public Order Bill would create a new criminal offence - aimed at protest groups - with a maximum sentence of 12 months for "interfering with key national infrastructure" such as airports, railways and printing press.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the powers would clamp down on the "outrageous behaviour" of "disruptive protests carried out by a "self-indulgent minority who seem to revel in causing mayhem and misery".

But the Liberal Democrats said the plans were "dangerous and draconian".

The party's home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael argued that police already had the powers to stop "guerrilla protestors" and that the new bill was a "desperate attempt to distract from a failing Government that is running out of steam".

The new police powers were originally announced last autumn, after campaign group Insulate Britain began blocking major roads and motorways.

Ministers then tried to add the powers as amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - but failed after Labour and other opposition peers teamed up to oppose them.

The government will be confident of getting the measures through Parliament in this session as it has a large majority in the House of Commons.

SOURCE: BBC
IMAGE SOURCE: PIXABAY