Queen’s Speech: getting on with governing?

The Tory Government announced their legislative plans in the Queen’s Speech at Westminster today – but the Scottish Government says it will withhold consent motions until the UK Goverment gives Brexit assurances.

No fewer than 26 Bills are set out in Boris Johnson’s first programme for government, but it’s anyone’s guess just how many of them, if any at all,  will reach the statute book. It’s not inconceivable that the government’s plans could be defeated in a House of Commons vote with a general election the inevitable outcome.

For what it’s worth, this was the Queen’s Speech:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.

My Government’s priority has always been to secure the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on 31 October. My Government intends to work towards a new partnership with the European Union, based on free trade and friendly cooperation [European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill].

My Ministers will work to implement new regimes for fisheries, agriculture and trade, seizing the opportunities that arise from leaving the European Union [Fisheries Bill, Agriculture Bill and Trade Bill].

An immigration bill, ending free movement, will lay the foundation for a fair, modern and global immigration system. My Government remains committed to ensuring that resident European citizens, who have built their lives in, and contributed so much to, the United Kingdom, have the right to remain. The bill will include measures that reinforce this commitment [Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill].

Steps will be taken to provide certainty, stability and new opportunities for the financial services and legal sectors [Financial Services Bill and Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill].

My Government’s new economic plan will be underpinned by a responsible fiscal strategy, investing in economic growth while maintaining the sustainability of the public finances.

Measures will be brought forward to support and strengthen the National Health Service, its workforce and resources, enabling it to deliver the highest quality care. New laws will be taken forward to help implement the National Health Service’s Long Term Plan in England, and to establish an independent body to investigate serious healthcare incidents [Health Service Safety Investigations Bill].

My Government will bring forward proposals to reform adult social care in England to ensure dignity in old age. My Ministers will continue work to reform the Mental Health Act to improve respect for, and care of, those receiving treatment.

My Government is committed to addressing violent crime, and to strengthening public confidence in the criminal justice system. New sentencing laws will see that the most serious offenders spend longer in custody to reflect better the severity of their crimes [Sentencing Bill].

Measures will be introduced to improve the justice system’s response to foreign national offenders [Foreign National Offenders Bill]. My Government will work to improve safety and security in prisons and to strengthen the rehabilitation of offenders. Proposals will be brought forward to ensure that victims receive the support they need and the justice they deserve. Laws will be introduced to ensure that the parole system recognises the pain to victims and their families caused by offenders refusing to disclose information relating to their crimes [Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill].

A new duty will be placed on public sector bodies, ensuring they work together to address serious violence [Serious Violence Bill]. Police officers will be provided with the protections they need to keep the population safe [Police Protections Bill]. They will also be awarded the power to arrest individuals who are wanted by trusted international partners [Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Bill].

My Government will bring forward measures to protect individuals, families and their homes. Legislation will transform the approach of the justice system and other agencies to victims of domestic abuse [Domestic Abuse Bill], and minimise the impact of divorce, particularly on children [Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill]. My Ministers will continue to develop proposals to improve internet safety, and will bring forward laws to implement new building safety standards.

My Ministers will ensure that all young people have access to an excellent education, unlocking their full potential and preparing them for the world of work. My Government will take steps to make work fairer, introducing measures that will support those working hard [Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill].

To help people plan for the future, measures will be brought forward to provide simpler oversight of pensions savings. To protect people’s savings for later life, new laws will provide greater powers to tackle irresponsible management of private pension schemes [Pension Schemes Bill].

To ensure that the benefits of a prospering economy reach every corner of the United Kingdom, my Ministers will bring forward a National Infrastructure Strategy. This will set out a long-term vision to improve the nation’s digital, transport and energy infrastructure. New legislation will help accelerate the delivery of fast, reliable and secure broadband networks to millions of homes [Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill].

An aviation bill will provide for the effective and efficient management of the United Kingdom’s airspace Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill. Proposals on railway reform will be brought forward.

A white paper will be published to set out my Government’s ambitions for unleashing regional potential in England, and to enable decisions that affect local people to be made at a local level.

My Government is committed to establishing the United Kingdom as a world-leader in scientific capability and space technology. Increased investment in science will be complemented by the development of a new funding agency, a more open visa system, and an ambitious national space strategy.

My Ministers remain committed to protecting and improving the environment for future generations. For the first time, environmental principles will be enshrined in law. Measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive. Legislation will also create new legally-binding environmental improvement targets.

A new, world-leading independent regulator will be established in statute to scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action [Environment Bill].

Proposals will also be brought forward to promote and protect the welfare of animals [Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill], including banning imports from trophy hunting.

The integrity and prosperity of the union that binds the four nations of the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance to my Government. My Ministers will bring forward measures to support citizens across all the nations of the United Kingdom.

My Government remains committed to working with all parties in Northern Ireland to support the return of devolved government and to address the legacy of the past.

My Government will take steps to protect the integrity of democracy and the electoral system in the United Kingdom.

My Government will continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces. My Ministers will honour the Armed Forces Covenant and the NATO commitment to spend at least two per cent of national income on defence.

As the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, my Government will ensure that it continues to play a leading role in global affairs, defending its interests and promoting its values.

My Government will be at the forefront of efforts to solve the most complex international security issues. It will champion global free trade and work alongside international partners to solve the most pressing global challenges. It will prioritise tackling climate change and ensuring that all girls have access to twelve years of quality education.

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: Other measures will be laid before you.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

Anneliese Dodds MP, Labour’s Shadow Treasury Minister, responding to the Queen’s Speech, said: “With nothing in this Queen’s Speech on ending tax avoidance or the Registration of Overseas Entities Bill, it’s clear who this government represents.

“You won’t hear this government standing up for the fair payment of tax – because it’s on the side of the tax avoiders and evaders.

“A Labour government will clamp down on enablers of tax avoidance and evasion, scrap non-dom status, and lay out the most ambitious tax transparency and enforcement programme this country has ever seen.”

There must be early and close inter-governmental engagement on the impact on Scotland of Bills in the Queen’s Speech, the Scottish Government has said.

However, until there is more assurance that the UK Government respects the views of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government will not bring forward any parliamentary consent motions for provisions related to Brexit.

This position has been taken as the UK Government has made it clear that it is prepared to ignore the views of the Scottish Parliament on provisions or Bills related to exiting the EU – even though Holyrood’s consent is required under the rules of our current system of government.

The UK Parliament does not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament, which is expressed through Legislative Consent Motions (LCM).

Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell said the Scottish Government will support necessary consent for UK Government Bills where common ground can be found.

There are Bills in the Queen’s Speech which the Scottish Government can support, for example the Domestic Abuse Bill which adds to robust measures already in place in Scotland.

Mr Russell said: “Throughout the Brexit process, the UK Government has paid little regard to the views of either the Scottish Parliament or the Scottish people.

“Brexit remains a crisis: there is no concluded Withdrawal Agreement and the UK Government is refusing to rule out a disastrous ‘no deal’ Brexit.

“In these circumstances, the UK Government cannot maintain that their plan is to pass a Withdrawal Agreement Bill – should one be approved – before 31st October.

“If the UK Government attempts to force such important legislation through in the short time available, it will show a disregard for the scrutiny functions of both the UK Parliament and Scottish Parliament.

“With regard to other Bills, it remains vital that the Scottish Parliament scrutinise any Brexit-related provisions.

“Therefore, the Scottish Government will continue to lodge legislative consent memorandums setting out its views on the substance of any such provision.

“But until we can be assured that the decisions of the Scottish Parliament will be respected, we will not lodge any legislative consent motions on Brexit-related provisions, except in the most exceptional of circumstances.”

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, also announced yesterday he is planning to hold a Budget on Wednesday 6 November.

Sajid Javid, said: This will be the first Budget after leaving the EU. I will be setting out our plan to shape the economy for the future and triggering the start of our infrastructure revolution.

“This is the right and responsible thing to do – we must get on with governing.”