I'm going to go through the Queens Speech and tell you what I think about its points. I'll highlight In green
anything good, red bad and orange stuff I'm ambivalent about or would like to
know more details. i'll be adding comments in these []
My Government’s
legislative programme will continue to focus on building a stronger economy so
that the United Kingdom can compete and succeed in the world.
It will also work to promote a fairer society that rewards
people who work hard.
My Government’s first priority is to strengthen Britain’s
economic competitiveness. To this end, it will support the growth of the private sector
and the creation of more jobs and opportunities. [Seems suspiciously like stimulus
to me.]
My Ministers will continue to prioritise measures that
reduce the deficit – ensuring interest rates are kept low for homeowners and
businesses.
My Government is committed to building an economy where
people who work hard are properly rewarded. It will therefore continue to
reform the benefits system, helping people move from welfare to work.
Measures will be brought forward to introduce a new
Employment Allowance to support jobs and help small businesses. [This is
essentially a tax cut for £2,000 off NI for small businesses.]
A Bill will be introduced to reduce the burden of excessive
regulation on businesses A further Bill will make it easier for businesses to
protect their intellectual property.
A draft Bill will be published establishing a simple set of
consumer rights to promote competitive markets and growth.
My Government will introduce a Bill that closes the Audit
Commission. [Hardly a bonfire of the qangos but a good start.]
My Government will continue to invest in
infrastructure to deliver jobs and growth for the economy. [I'm not against
infrastructure spending but there must be a good business model for it, one
which prima face will seem good is super high speed broadband.]
Legislation will be introduced to enable the building of the
‘High Speed Two’ railway line, providing further opportunities for economic
growth in many of Britain’s cities. [HS2 is just stimulus, no one will
use it and will cost tens of billions more than predicted.]
My Government will continue with legislation to
update energy infrastructure and to improve the water industry. [Again
infrastructure caveat but even more so in energy as it is likely to be building
wind turbines.]
My Government is committed to a fairer society where
aspiration and responsibility are rewarded.
To make sure that every child has the best start in life,
regardless of background, further measures will be taken to improve the quality
of education for young people.
Plans will be developed to help working parents with
childcare, increasing its availability and helping with its cost.
My Government will also take forward plans for a new
National Curriculum, a world class exam system and greater flexibility in pay
for teachers. [The flexibility in pay will be very good as it will reward
teachers who perform the best rather than giving all teachers a similar rate.]
My Government will also take steps to ensure that it
becomes typical for those leaving school to start a traineeship or an
apprenticeship, or to go to university. [We need more highly skilled people but we cannot have a nation of poorly trained academics. We need more
apprentices and more people who are practically skilled. I'd like to see a drop
in British Uni numbers in exchange for a higher quality of a degrees and an increase in quality and quantity of apprenticeships]
New arrangements will be put in place to help
more people own their own home, with Government support provided for mortgages
and deposits. [Depends how they give the support, government getting
involved is not always the best. This could be an instance of the rule of unintended
consequences, I'd like to see the Bill.]
My Government is committed to supporting people who have
saved for their retirement.
Legislation will be introduced to reform the way long term
care is paid for, to ensure the elderly do not have to sell their homes to meet
their care bills.
My Government will bring forward legislation to create a
simpler state pension system that encourages saving and provides more help to
those who have spent years caring for children.
Legislation will be introduced to ensure sufferers of
a certain asbestos-related cancer receive payments where no liable employer or
insurer can be traced.
My Government will bring forward a Bill that further
reforms Britain’s immigration system. The Bill will ensure that this country
attracts people who will contribute and deters those who will not.
My Government will continue to reduce crime and protect
national security.
Legislation will be introduced to reform the way in which
offenders are rehabilitated in England and Wales.
Legislation will be brought forward to introduce new powers
to tackle anti-social behaviour, cut crime and further reform the police.
In relation to the problem of matching internet
protocol addresses, my Government will bring forward proposals to enable the
protection of the public and the investigation of crime in cyberspace.[I'm always suspicious
of the police getting involved in tracking people on cyber space. Again how far
will this go because some of the ideas that have come out of the government go
too far.]
Measures will be brought forward to improve the way this
country procures defence equipment, as well as strengthening the Reserve
Forces.
My Ministers will continue to work in cooperation with the
devolved administrations. [As a firm believer in Great Britain I'd get
rid of them all as they undermine the country, I'd think a bit more about NI
though as there are some clear public safety reasons why that was brought about.]
A Bill will be introduced to give effect to a number of
institutional improvements in Northern Ireland.
Draft legislation will be published concerning
the electoral arrangements for the National Assembly for Wales. [As I said
above I'd don't like devolution to countries in the UK, but if they have to have it they should use FPTP
as the electoral system.]
My Government will continue to make the case for
Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. [I think the Scottish should leave the United Kingdom. I don't think they really want to stay in the UK for any real economic, cultural or political reason. Scotsmen (and women) will decide on the basis of being better off by £150 under the SNP or Labour/Conservatives. But as I have no voting rights in the referendum
I don't really care. It is their decision.]
Members of the House of Commons Estimates for the public services will be
laid before you.
My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
My Government will work to prevent conflict and reduce
terrorism. It will support countries in transition in the Middle East and North
Africa, and the opening of a peace process in Afghanistan.
My Government will work to prevent sexual violence in
conflict worldwide.
My Government will ensure the security, good governance and
development of the Overseas Territories, including by protecting the Falkland
Islanders’ and Gibraltarians’ right to determine their political futures.
In assuming the Presidency of the G8, my Government will
promote economic growth, support free trade, tackle tax evasion, encourage greater transparency and
accountability while continuing to make progress in tackling climate change. [code for let's build wind turbines and wreck the energy supply of the country.]
Other measures will be laid
before you.
My Lords and Members of the
House of Commons; I pray that
the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels. [God Save The
Queen]
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| The Queen is the best lady in the country. Long may she reign. |
