Boris Johnson has outlined his vision for the next decade of Conservative governance, presenting a Queen's speech that signals a harder Brexit and sweeping constitutional reforms. The prime minister described the programme as a 'blueprint for the future of Britain', featuring over 30 new laws.
Key legislation includes the EU withdrawal agreement bill, tougher sentencing laws, new espionage offences, and constitutional reform. The Brexit bill has been significantly altered since Johnson's 80-seat majority, removing protections for workers' rights, watering down commitments to unaccompanied refugee children, and stripping parliament's say on the future relationship. It also bans extending the transition period beyond 2020.
Labour's shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, condemned the bill, stating it 'paves the way towards a hard and extreme Brexit' and has 'torn up protections for workers' rights and child refugees'. Labour will not support the legislation, though some shadow cabinet members from pro-leave seats suggested not opposing it at second reading.
Johnson expressed 'invincible confidence' for the future, claiming the programme is for the next decade. He plans to hold the second reading on Friday, with the bill certain to pass. The government will shut down the Department for Exiting the European Union in January and is expected to drop the word 'Brexit' from official documents.
The Queen's speech also announced plans to scrap the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, allowing the government to call an election at a time of its choosing. A new Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission will examine how democracy operates, raising concerns among opposition parties about potential Tory-favoured changes.
