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Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday vowed to resist the “snake oil charm of populism” and return to “serious government” as he revealed Labour’s first legislative programme in more than 14 years centred on reviving economic growth.
After his landslide win over Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives, the new Prime Minister used his first King’s Speech to vow “security, opportunity, prosperity and justice for every person” as he unveiled a packed agenda for the next parliamentary year encompassing 40 items of legislation.
“Our plan starts, as it must, with our economy,” Sir Keir said. “The economic chaos working people have endured since the mini budget [of Liz Truss] will never happen again with my Labour Government.”
More broadly, the PM stressed the need to restore public trust in the political process.
“Rebuilding our country will not happen overnight. The challenges we face require determined, patient work and serious solutions, rather than the temptation of the easy answer,” he said.
“The snake oil charm of populism may sound seductive, but it drives us into the dead end of further division and greater disappointment.
“This King’s Speech returns politics to serious government, returns government to service, and returns service to the interests of working people. That is the path of national renewal. We start that journey immediately.”
In the Commons King’s Speech debate later, the Prime Minister said the raft of legislation announced “seeks only to fix our foundations and make people better off”, with “no more wedge issues, no more gimmicks, no more party political strategy masquerading as policy”.
Attacking the previous Tory government’s record, he said: “With each day that passes, my Government is finding new and unexpected marks of their chaos, scars of the last 14 years where politics was put above the national interest, decline deep in the marrow of our institutions.”
Despite his continuing treatment for cancer, the King came in a carriage procession to oversee the pageantry of his second State Opening of Parliament accompanied by the Queen celebrating her 77th birthday.
Following the traditional summoning of the Commons by Black Rod, the new PM and Mr Sunak trooped across to the Lords at the processional head of MPs — including 335 who have been elected for the first time — to hear the King open the 2024-25 session.
The late Queen was on the throne when Labour was last in power and outlined a legislative plan in November 2009. Today was the first King’s Speech under a Labour government since George VI delivered it in 1950.
It confirmed planning reforms towards Labour’s goal of building 1.5 million new homes over five years, with a presumption in favour of approvals and blocking the ability of local “Nimby” objectors to wield a veto.
Local authorities will once more have to meet mandatory housebuilding targets after they were scrapped by Mr Sunak, and will also be required to set up a new educational register to track down more than 117,000 children who were missing from schools in 2022-23.
Pat McFadden, one of the Labour leader’s key frontbench lieutenants, denied that the envisaged planning reforms would allow a “free for all”, insisting on Times Radio that brownfield land would be prioritised over developments in the green belt.
Private rail franchises will be brought back under state control as they expire, allowing for an integrated system for fares, while Labour also promised legislation to crack down on polluting water companies.
One Bill delivers on Labour’s manifesto commitments to reform the House of Lords, removing the last of the hereditary members whose continued presence until now was labelled “outdated and indefensible”.
The speech confirmed a landmark Bill to boost employment rights, with a ban on zero-hour contracts, ending the “scourge” of fire and rehire, and conferring the right to parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal on day one of a new job.
The Government said it would create an independent regulator to protect the financial viability of English football clubs, reviving a plan outlined by the Sunak government.
Other plans that fell by the wayside when Mr Sunak called the surprise summer election are also revived, including a strengthened version of the Renters Reform Bill to outlaw no-fault evictions, and a ban on anyone born after 2009 buying tobacco.
“Martyn’s Law”, legislation named after Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett to improve security at public venues, will also be brought back.
And after the infected blood and Post Office Horizon scandals, the Government promised a “Hillsborough Law” to ensure public servants and authorities obey a “legal duty of candour”.
Keen to promote a sense of momentum during their first 100 days in office, Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves used the speech to toughen spending rules to promote sustainable growth as part of their “central mission of economic growth”.
One Bill foresees a stronger role for the Office for Budget Responsibility, to ensure that major fiscal decisions are given proper scrutiny by the independent watchdog and do not take financial markets by surprise.
Labour vowed more powers for cities and regions and to enact a national wealth fund, in a bid to attract billions in private-sector investment to support growth across the UK. The apprenticeship levy paid by big businesses will be replaced by a “growth and skills” levy.
A new “mission control centre” is intended to drive a plan to provide Britain with cheaper and clean power by 2030, with a Bill set to establish the new state-owned GB Energy in Scotland.
On the security front, the Government said it was planning early legislation to introduce new counter terror-style powers to tackle organised gangs blamed for Channel boat crossings.
The speech restated “full support” for Ukraine and to “reset the relationship with European partners” after Brexit, while affirming backing for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Responding in the Commons, Mr Sunak congratulated Sir Keir for his “decisive victory” in the election on July 4.
The new leader of the Opposition stressed: “The party opposite has successfully tapped into the public’s desire for change, but they must now deliver change, and we on this side of the House will hold them accountable for delivering on the commitments that they made to the British people.”
He also made a joke about his own downfall, telling the Commons he wondered if he could be considered an "elder statesman" at the age of 44.
The former Prime Minister joked that "life comes at you fast" on the Government benches as he advised new MPs they could have a "bright future behind you" sooner than expected.
