Afternoon summary
Liz Truss is expected to attempt to hold a mini-budget and travel to the leaders’ summit of the UN general assembly in New York next week in the days after the Queen’s funeral.
Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, has said the government will have to come up with a better version of the energy price guarantee next year because the one announced by Truss last week is “incredibly expensive” and “totally untargeted”. In an interview with Times Radio he said:
It’s extraordinary that they didn’t publish a cost with the announcement. This could actually turn out to be the biggest single fiscal announcement in my lifetime, because this could cost £150bn.
Now, how much it costs in the end is, of course, enormously uncertain, because it depends on what happens to gas prices going forward. And it depends on how long this policy is in place.
One of the things that I really hope is that they’ve got teams of people working next year on thinking of something better for next winter because whilst this might be necessary this year, it’s incredibly expensive.
It’s totally untargeted. It gives large amounts of money to people who don’t need it, and it means that we’re not facing the price signal that there is less gas out there. And yet we’re being massively subsidised to use gas. So if it’s possible to come up with something better, which is better targeted, then we really ought to be doing it.
Simon Case is expected to keep his job as cabinet secretary under Liz Truss after previously having been expected to be ousted.
The EU has offered to reduce checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea into Northern Ireland to a “couple of lorries a day” in an effort to bring the UK back to the negotiating table in the Brexit dispute.
The King is in St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh where a service is taking place to commemorate the Queen. Later he will be in the Scottish parliament to receive a motion of condolence from MSPs. This morning he spoke to MPs and peers at Westminster, after receiving addresses of condolence from them. There is full coverage on our separate live blog.
Updated
This is from the New Statesman’s Jeremy Cliffe on the politics of the new King. He is commenting on a tweet plugging an interesting pro-Charles article at Middle East Eye by Peter Oborne and Imran Mulla.
A new divide is emerging on the British right between the communitarian perennialism of Charles III & his acolytes and the Hayekian libertarianism of PM Truss & her Tufton Street hinterland. Will be fascinating to see how the two interact. https://t.co/zlwTuxpBRx
— Jeremy Cliffe (@JeremyCliffe) September 12, 2022
Charging an electric car at home will be about one-third cheaper under the government’s “energy price guarantee” compared with the planned price cap, PA Media reports. PA says:
The RAC said it will cost an average of £22.22 to fully charge an electric car with a 64-kilowatt hour battery – such as a Kia e-Niro – from 1 October under the new policy announced by Truss last week.
That is nearly £4 more than under the current price cap, but around £11.50 less than it would have done under the cap announced by regulator Ofgem on 26 August, which was due to come into force at the start of next month.
The “energy price guarantee” was announced byTruss last week amid growing concern about the impact of the planned rise in bills.
RAC electric vehicle spokesman Simon Williams said the measure will “significantly cushion the impact of rising energy prices affecting drivers of electric cars”.
Updated
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, says he was not told in advice that King Charles was going to use his address to the nation on Friday to announce that his son, Prince William, would succeed him as Prince of Wales. But Drakeford says he had a “very warm” conversation with the prince on Monday.
As the BBC reports, Drakeford says:
[Prince William] wanted to look forward, talk about the time he needs to take on the responsibilities, and fashion the job in the way that will be right for him and Wales in the 21st century.
It was a very warm conversation, Prince William was very keen to reflect on the time he and his family have spent in Ynys Mon. A period that clearly means a great deal to him and he looks back on with enormous fondness.
If Charles were to prove less popular as King than his mother was as Queen, would that increase support for independence in Scotland? Probably not, says Prof John Curtice, the leading psephologist. He explains why in a post on his What Scotland Thinks website. Here is an extract.
In short, support for the monarchy in Scotland is strongly associated with a wish to remain part of the Union – and it is this link that is probably a major explanation of the monarchy’s lower overall level of popularity north of the border.
However, that still leaves the question of the causal connection between the two. The polling evidence does not prove that attitudes to the Union are influenced by attitudes to the monarchy – rather than vice-versa. It certainly makes sense that someone who does not feel British, is convinced that Scotland would be economically better off as an independent country and would have more control over its own affairs should have doubts about retaining the monarchical connection.
But would someone who feels at least somewhat British, has severe doubts about the economics of independence, and is content with being outside the EU be likely to change their mind about retaining the Union because they have come to the conclusion that King Charles and/or his successors are not as good a monarch as the late Queen Elizabeth? It does not seem very likely.
Back to relations with the EU, and Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform thinktank, says he thinks British officials are trying to persuade Liz Truss to accept an invitation to the first meeting of the European Political Community in Prague in October. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, proposed the group as a means of improving links between the EU and countries in Europe which are not members.
Although Liz Truss was sceptical about the European Political Community when I asked her about it at a conference in the summer, I have learned that senior UK officials are now trying to persuade her to go to Prague. @CER_EU https://t.co/CkzYePqh5Z
— Charles Grant (@CER_Grant) September 12, 2022
Earlier this year, when she was still foreign secretary, Truss told MPs that the UK was not keen on joining the new group.
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill praises Queen's contribution to reconciliation at special meeting of NI assembly
In Belfast the Northern Ireland assembly, which has largely been suspended since the elections this year because the DUP blocked the election of a speaker because of its opposition to the Northern Ireland protocol, has been meeting today to hear tributes to the Queen.
Michelle O’Neill, the Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland and first minister designate, leads a party that is opposed to the rule of the crown in Ireland and that during the Troubles was seen as the political wing of the IRA, the terrorist group that murdered the Queen’s cousin, Lord Mountbatten. But today O’Neill paid tribute to the Queen, and particularly her contribution to reconciliation in Ireland. She said:
Today I wish to record the value and respect I place on the significant contribution Queen Elizabeth made to the advancement of peace and reconciliation between the different traditions on our island, and between Ireland and Britain during the years of the peace process … I recognise that she was a courageous and gracious leader.
O’Neill also recalled being present when the Queen shook hands with Martin McGuinness, the former IRA commander and then deputy first minister, in 2012. It was seen as a historic moment in the peace process. O’Neill said:
The important symbolism of these encounters by both sides was understood and designed to positively show leadership, and in a practical way give example towards reconciliation.
They were pointing to the peaceful future overwhelmingly endorsed by the people through their expressed support for the Good Friday agreement, while acknowledging the regrettable divisions and tragedies of the past.
All people in public life in Ireland should follow the Queen’s example, O’Neill argued.
[The Queen] made real efforts, and in good faith to build relationships with those of us who are Irish, and who share a different political allegiance to herself and her government, and who wish to exercise our right to self-determination based on consent to achieve reunification and a shared island for all.
There is an onus on us all in politics and public life, but also the whole community, to follow her example and strengthen the bonds of friendship that will bring people and communities together.
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Irish PM says EU is showing its 'flexibility' over Northern Ireland protocol
Micheál Martin, the taoiseach (Irish PM), has welcomed the comments from Maroš Šefčovič, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, about the Brusssels plan for changes to the Northern Ireland protocol could make the GB/NI border almost “invisible” for lorries. (See 10.08am and 10.59am.) Commenting on the Šefčovič interview with the FT, he said:
What Maroš Šefčovič is demonstrating is his flexibility, his desire to be solution driven and what you’re witnessing this morning is further solutions, proposed ideas around resolving the protocol issue.
I spoke with the British PM late last week. It was a preliminary discussion. We will meet again on these issues.
I do believe genuinely there’s a view across that we should do everything we can to resolve this issue …
[The] European Union and the UK really should sort this out so that we can focus on the bigger issues geopolitically that are facing the European Union and UK who are good partners on these more fundamental issues.
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Summary of Downing Street lobby briefing
And here is a full summary of the main points from the No 10 lobby briefing.
The prime minister’s spokesperson signalled that MPs are likely to be recalled to parliament after the Queen’s funeral next week for the emergency “budget” promised by Liz Truss. This is where Kwasi Kwarteng, the new chancellor, will announce the reversal of the national insurance rise, and the temporary removal for green levies from energy bills, promised by Truss in the Tory leadership contest. She has also said that Kwarteng will finally reveal the cost of the energy price guarantee announced last week at this “fiscal event” (as No 10 is calling it). See 12.17pm.
The spokesperson played down reports suggesting that Joe Biden, the US president, could be banned from using a helicopter, and forced to travel by bus to Westminster Abbey, when he attends the Queen’s funeral next week. Politico published a report saying government guidance is for visiting dignitaries not to travel to the abbey using their own cars, and for helicopter transfers to be banned. But, when asked about the report, the spokesperson stressed that “arrangements for different leaders will vary” and that this was just guidance.
A minute’s silence will be held on Sunday at 8pm in honour of the Queen, the spokesperson said. He said:
At 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the state funeral, there will be a one-minute silence where the public are invited to come together and observe a national moment of reflection to mourn and reflect on the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II.
The silence can be marked privately at home on your own or with friends and neighbours, out on your doorstep or street with neighbours, or at any locally arranged community events and vigils.
We encourage local community groups, clubs and other organisations to mark this moment of reflection. And if you are overseas, people are encouraged to mark the silence at their local time.
The spokesperson said commuters in London may want to “change their working patterns accordingly” because of the huge numbers of people expected to file past the Queen’s coffin during the lying in state in Westminster Hall.
The spokesperson confirmed that Truss’s government reshuffle had not finished. A small number of appointments have not been made, mostly ministers in the House of Lords, the spokesperson said. He said these had been put on hold during the period of national mourning.
The spokesperson refused to comment on reports suggesting that the bank holiday next week to mark the Queen’s funeral could help to push the economy into technical recession.
The spokesperson said Truss would not be commenting on developments in Ukraine because there was a limit to what she could say during the period of national mourning. But he referred reporters to the assessment from the Ministry of Defence.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 12 September 2022
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) September 12, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/IISQBW8TQK
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/QFOzJpanUr
The spokesperson declined to condemn the arrest of people who were protesting against the accession of King Charles III to the throne. Asked about the reports, he said he would not comment on operational decisions taken by the police. He went on:
Obviously this is a period of national mourning for the vast, vast majority of the country. But the fundamental right to protest remains. That’s a keystone of our democracy.
Updated
MPs likely to be recalled after Queen's funeral next week for emergency 'budget', No 10 signals
The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished, and the prime minister’s spokesperson has strongly hinted that we will in effect get an emergency budget next week, where Liz Truss will announce her plans for immediate tax cuts.
Truss promised such an emergency budget during the leadership contest, and in her speech to MPs last week she said Kwasi Kwarteng, the chancellor, would be making a “fiscal statement” later this month. She refers to it as a “fiscal event” rather than a budget (perhaps because holding a formal budget would require the Office for Budget Responsibility to update its economic forecasts), but in practice it is going to be just like a normal budget – only much bigger.
The death of the Queen, which led to parliament being in recess this week, put those plans on hold. But at the lobby briefing, when asked if there would be a fiscal event next week, the spokesperson replied:
We are still planning to deliver a fiscal event this month. We would not do that in recess. Beyond that, we have not set out a date.
In practice, that means the emergency “budget” is pencilled in for next week. MPs could return to parliament after the Queen’s funeral a week today. Labour is having its party conference the following week, and the Conservatives are having theirs the week after (starting on Sunday 2 October), and so in practice next week is the only slot available because the Commons will be in recess for the two main conferences. When this was put to the spokeperson, he did not confirm this – but did not deny it either.
The Liberal Democrats were meant to be having their conference next week. But they have cancelled it, and the Commons was originally meant to be sitting early next week anyway.
UPDATE: I have corrected the post above because originally it said the Commons was meant to be in recess next week, during Lib Dem conference, but that is wrong. I’m sorry for the error.
Updated
72% of voters favour further windfall tax on energy firms, poll suggests
Voters favour a further windfall tax on energy companies by a margin of seven to one, according to a poll by Savanta ComRes.
The poll was commissioned by the Daily Mail, which has written it up as a big boost for the new prime minister. “Voters overwhelmingly back Liz Truss’s plan to freeze energy prices for families and businesses”, says the Mail in its report.
The poll does suggest that 87% of people are in favour of freezing energy bills for consumers. This, broadly, is what Truss announced in a speech to MPs on Thursday, a few hours before the death of the Queen had announced. At that point the main opposition parties – Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP – were also calling for energy bills to be frozen.
The poll also shows significant support for three of Truss’s policies that are not supported all the opposition parties: removing green levies from energy bills (backed by 71% of people, the poll suggests); abandoning the national insurance increase (backed by 66%); and cancelling the planned increase in corporation tax (backed by 53%).
But it also suggests that 72% of people favour a further windfall tax on energy companies – as proposed by Labour and some other opposition parties. Only 9% of people are opposed, the poll suggests.
Updated
British government officials are not impressed by Maroš Šefčovič comments about the EU’s proposals for the Northern Ireland protocol, according to Mujtaba Rahman, the Brexit specialist at the Eurasia Group consultancy. In his FT interview (see 10.08am) Šefčovič was not announcing a new proposal; instead he was presenting a positive gloss on the EU plans already on the table.
Senior UK officials tell me EU's offer doesn't go far enough - & isn't particularly new. Aim of the green lane is to eliminate all paperwork on goods going from GB to NI - not just physical checks
— Mujtaba Rahman (@Mij_Europe) September 12, 2022
Updated
The King says Big Ben is one of the most powerful symbols of our nation. It will toll to mark the late Queen’s progress from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Wednesday, he says.
While very young, her late Majesty pledged herself to serve her country and her people and to maintain the precious principles of constitutional government, which lie at the heart of our nation.
This vow she kept with unsurpassed devotion.
She set an example of selfless duty, which, with God’s help and your counsels I am resolved faithfully to follow.
That’s the end of the King’s speech.
MPs and peers are now singing the national anthem.
Updated
King says parliament is 'living and breathing instrument of our democracy'
King Charles is now responding. He says he is deeply grateful for these messages of condolence. Quoting Shakespeare on the first Queen Elizabeth, he says she was “a pattern to all princes living”.
As I stand before you today, I cannot help but feel the weight of history which surrounds us and which reminds us of the vital parliamentary traditions to which members of both houses dedicate yourselves, with such personal commitment for the betterment of us all.
Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy. That your traditions are ancient we see in the construction of this great hall and the reminders of medieval predecessors of the office to which I have been called.
And the tangible connections to my darling late mother we see all around us; from the fountain in New Palace Yard which commemorates the late Queen’s silver jubilee to the sundial in Old Palace Yard for the golden jubilee, the magnificent stained glass window before me for the diamond jubilee and, so poignantly and yet to be formally unveiled, your most generous gift to her late majesty to mark the unprecedented platinum jubilee which we celebrated only three months ago, with such joyful hearts.
"I cannot help but feel the weight of history"
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) September 12, 2022
King Charles III responds to the messages of condolences, telling MPs and peers "Parliament is the living and breathing instrument of our democracy" https://t.co/nVHm2c6o6W pic.twitter.com/Jz0bSrUyaE
Updated
Hoyle finishes by presenting the King with a copy of the addresss to him from the Commons.
Constitututional monarchy 'symbol of stability in ever-changing world', says Commons Speaker
Hoyle says “our constitutional monarchy is a symbol of stability in an ever-changing world”.
He says the Queen visited Westminster Hall to mark historic occasions, including the 300th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution. He goes on:
It is perhaps very British to celebrate revolutions by presenting an address to Her Majesty, but those revolutions led to our constitutional freedoms.
UPDATE: Hoyle said:
As Speaker Boothroyd said, Queen Elizabeth’s wisdom and grace demonstrated for all to see the value of a constitutional monarchy in securing the liberties of our citizens and the fundamental unity of this kingdom and the Commonwealth.
On other occasions, our late Queen was here to mark the historic moments, such as the 50th anniversary of the Second World War, a war in which she herself served in the armed forces.
And in 1988, we celebrated the 300th anniversary of the revolutions of 1688 to 1689.
It is perhaps very British to celebrate revolutions by presenting an address to Her Majesty; but those revolutions led to our constitutional freedoms, set out the foundation for a stable monarchy, which protects liberty.
Updated
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, says the loss of the Queen is felt around the world. “But we know most of all it is a loss to you, Your Majesty, and to the royal family.
He offers his heartfelt sympathy. And there is nothing MPs can say that the King will not already know.
He says MPs have in recent days spoken about the Queen.
They have spoken of her sense of duty, her wisdom, her kindness, her humanity, how she touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of their constituents in her visits to every part of this country. The words have been heartfelt.
McFall says, on behalf of members of the House of Lords, he pledges his loyalty to the King.
And he reads the text of the loyal address to the King passed by peers.
McFall says the walls of Westminster Hall were built more than 900 years ago. “Much of a national story has taken place within these very walls,” he says. But he says it is also a living space, and he says that light shines into the hall throught the stained glass window installed to commemorate the Queen’s diamond jubilee.
Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker (Speaker in the House of Lords), is speaking now. (He is John McFall, the former Labour MP.)
McFall welcomes the King to Westminster, and says his mother visited parliament many times in her long life of dedicated public service.
He says she was a leader of her people, and a servant of them, too. Her humility and integrity “commanded respect and captured the imagination of peoples and nations across the globe”. He goes on:
Our late Majesty’s joyous unstinting and reassuring presence across the years made it difficult to contemplate that her long and inspiring reign of deep and unparalleled devotion would ever end.
But it has ended, only a few months after we celebrated her late Majesty’s historic platinum jubilee.
And as you said so movingly, Your Majesty, in your address to the nation, we all know feel a sense of loss beyond measure.
Updated
The Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord Carrington, is leading the King and the Queen Consort to their seats.
Updated
The King and the Queen Consort have arrived at Wesminster Hall.
David Torrance, a clerk in the Commons library specialising in constitutional issues, says most of the events taking place today in London and Edinburgh following the death of the Queen are unprecedented.
Most of today’s events are, to varying degrees, unprecedented🧵 1/5
— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) September 12, 2022
At 10:00 The King will receive Addresses of condolence & loyalty from both Houses of Parl’t. This is normal following a Demise, but usually delegations of MPs/peers wd present these to the monarch privately. Today both Houses as a whole will do so publicly in Westminster Hall 2/5
— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) September 12, 2022
Later in Edinburgh The King & other members of the RF will walk behind the hearse as it’s taken in Procession from Holyrood to St Giles Cathedral for Service of Thanksgiving & Reflection at 15:00. This is unprecedented, for usually the only such event wd take place in England 3/5
— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) September 12, 2022
The coffin will then “rest” at St Giles for 24 hours allowing public to pay respects. Coffin will be guarded by Royal Company of Archers (& later The King/siblings) with Scots Crown placed on top. This is also unprecedented. In effect, there’ll be 2 lyings-in-state/at rest 4/5
— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) September 12, 2022
At 17:30 MSPs will consider a Motion of Condolence to which The King will respond. Again, this is unprecedented, the 2nd stop on new monarch’s 4-nation tour. Devolution also existed in 1952 (in N. Ireland), but there was no such visit following Accession of Queen Elizabeth II 5/5
— David Torrance (@davidtorrance) September 12, 2022
Updated
GB/NI border could become almost 'invisible' for lorries under EU plan, Šefčovič claims
In non-royal news, Maroš Šefčovič, vice president of the European Commission and the EU’s chief negotiator with the UK on Brexit issues, has used an interview with the Financial Times to say physical checks on lorries going from Britain to Northern Ireland could be avoided on almost all lorries under EU plans for the Northern Ireland protocol, provided the UK provides real-time data on cargoes.
Šefčovič said the trade border would be “invisible” under European Commission plans, as long as this data was available, Andy Bounds, Sam Fleming and Patrick Jenkins report in their story. They say:
Maroš Šefčovič said the trade border would be “invisible” under European Commission plans – provided the UK gave EU officials real-time data on trade movements.
“If the data are downloaded into the system, when the goods are put on the ferry from Britain … I believe that we can remotely process them while sailing to Northern Ireland,” he told the Financial Times in an interview.
Physical checks would only be made “when there is reasonable suspicion of … illegal trade smuggling, illegal drugs or dangerous toys or poisoned food” – typically a “couple of lorries a day”.
He said there was almost no difference between the UK demand for “no checks” and the EU’s offer of “minimum checks, done in an invisible manner”.
Šefčovič also told the FT that he was “encouraged” by Truss’s statement at PMQs last week that her preference was for a negotiated settlement with the EU in the dispute over the protocol.
Updated
Here are some tweets from journalists who are in Westminster Hall, where MPs and peers are waiting for the King.
From the Daily Express’s Sam Lister
The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry are playing as MPs and peers gather in Westminster Hall for the Presentation of Addresses to King Charles III
— Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) September 12, 2022
Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived and taken her place next to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer
— Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) September 12, 2022
From Mail Online’s David Wilcock
Westminster Hall filling up ahead of the arrival of the King. Liz Truss and Keir Starmer already in, as is ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn among others.
— David Wilcock (@DavidTWilcock) September 12, 2022
From Bloomberg’s Kitty Donaldson
Political parties are mingling together. Cabinet member Jacob Rees-Mogg who’d been towards the back has been upgraded to a first class seat nearer the throne
— Kitty Donaldson (@kitty_donaldson) September 12, 2022
The band of the Household Cavalry are playing Epilogue From Things to Come as the hall fills up
— Kitty Donaldson (@kitty_donaldson) September 12, 2022
Liz Truss has been expected to replace Simon Case as cabinet secretary. But, according to the Times’ Steven Swinford, she is now expected to keep him on.
Exclusive:
— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) September 12, 2022
Liz Truss is now expected to retain Simon Case as cabinet secretary
He played a key role in drawing up the new structure in No 10 and developing the £150bn energy package
She had considered replacing him with James Bowler from DIThttps://t.co/y0u4etaof9
In his story Swinford reports:
The prime minister had been planning to sack Case and replace him with James Bowler, the permanent secretary at the Department for International Trade.
The Times has been told, however, that Truss is now likely to retain Case for the long term. He impressed her during talks about forming her new government and played a critical role in designing her £150bn energy package. He is also playing a pivotal role in organising arrangements for the Queen’s mourning period and funeral.
Truss is already facing criticism over the decision by Kwasi Kwarteng, the new chancellor, to sack Tom Scholar, permanent secretary at the department, on his first day in office.
Updated
Good morning. There will be very little normal politics this week. Britain is focused on the events taking place to mourn and commemorate Queen Elizabeth, and prepare for her funeral next week, and to mark the accession of King Charles III to the throne, and the main coverage of all this is on a seperate live blog. It’s here.
But parliament, and Westminster, have a huge role to play, and in the politics blog I will be focusing in particular on those aspects of the ceremonial events. I will also be covering any non-royal politics news that may be around. There won’t be much, but we are getting a Downing Street lobby briefing this morning.
At Westminster the main focus will be on Charles’s first visit to the Houses of Parliament as King. He will be in Westminster Hall (the oldest surviving part of the palace) to received addresses of condolence from the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, on behalf of the Commons, and the Lord Speaker, Lord McFall, on behalf of the Lords. After that the King will reply. As I came into the office a few minutes ago MPs and peers were queuing up to get into Westminster Hall for the event, which is due to start after 10am. My colleague Jessica Elgot has a preview here.
It all sounds quite formal and routine. But it all underlines quite how firmly embedded the monarchy is into the political life of the nation. Britain is a constitutional monarchy, and one where the King is more visible and influential than other democracies with royal families. “If Liz Truss had been a Swedish political leader, she would have travelled to see the speaker of the Riksdag this week to be appointed as prime minister, not the monarch,” my colleague Martin Kettle pointed out, in a very good column on this last week. In the past it was common to hear people say that, after the Queen died, there would be a public debate about whether the reach of the royal family should be scaled back. But since Thursday there has been no evidence to suggest that will happen at all, and events like this morning’s suggest this is a moment for continuity, not change.
The King will then travel to Scotland, where early this evening he will received a similar motion of condolence from MSPs in the Scottish parliament.
Here are tweets from some parliamentarians at Westminster waiting to hear from the new King.
From the Conservative MP Greg Hands
The King is coming! pic.twitter.com/AS408JqLxg
— Greg Hands (@GregHands) September 12, 2022
From Labour’s Darren Jones
In Westminster Hall to hear the presentation of addresses from @CommonsSpeaker and @ukhouseoflords speaker to HM King Charles III. pic.twitter.com/CcZRaLu58m
— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) September 12, 2022
From the Conservative MP Robert Halfon
Honoured to be waiting in beautiful Westminster Hall @UKParliament @HouseofCommons for the King's Speech to Parliament ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WVuWFMmvmj
— Robert Halfon MP ➡️Working Hard for Harlow⬅️ (@halfon4harlowMP) September 12, 2022
From the Labour MP Christian Wakeford
In Westminster Hall to hear addresses from both @UKHouseofLords & @HouseofCommons to King Charles III pic.twitter.com/cEyFQ6uVjd
— Christian Wakeford MP (@Christian4BuryS) September 12, 2022
I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
Alternatively, you can email me at andrew.sparrow@theguardian.com
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