Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Queen Elizabeth II outlined on Thursday the new government’s agenda. The top-line: tougher sentences for violent criminals, more health spending, and getting Brexit done.
This latest Queen’s Speech, as the traditional address is known, takes place just one week after the Conservative Party won a landslide election victory over the left-wing Labour Party. Now possessing an 80-seat majority in the House of Commons, Johnson has significant power and parliamentary latitude to pass legislation as he sees fit.
So, what does he plan?
First, Johnson reemphasized that Britain will leave the European Union on Jan. 31. This statement was expected and clarified the government’s commitment to see Brexit implemented without delay. Once Brexit is carried out, Johnson’s government will “seek a future relationship with the European Union based on a free trade agreement that benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. They will also begin trade negotiations with other leading global economies.”
Fulfilling another campaign promise, the government will also introduce legislation to codify an extra $44.1 billion in annual spending on the National Health Service by 2023-2024. Conservatives see that pledge as crucial toward consolidating moderate voters who chose the party over Labour in the election.
Tougher sentences for violent criminals, including terrorists, also took center stage. With many violent convicts serving only around half of their sentences, the government wants to restore the Conservative Party’s reputation as the party of law and order. This issue has risen in public attention following a recent terrorist attack that killed two innocent people. The attacker was released from prison last December after serving half of his sentence on a terrorism conviction.
Other interesting parts of the agenda include a commitment to continue spending the NATO target of 2% of GDP on defense, a pledge that “measures will be developed to tackle hostile activity conducted by foreign states,” and a promise to expand the government’s social care program so that older Britons do not have to sell their homes in order to pay for assisted care.
But Brexit is the key here. After years of wrangling and parliamentary impotence, this election has given Johnson the mandate to see his withdrawal agreement passed. He will bring forward Brexit legislation in the near future.
