King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to attend the state opening of parliament on Wednesday, where Keir Starmer will unveil a package of 35 bills covering housing, immigration, and energy. However, royal sources have pointed to potential embarrassment for the monarch if Starmer is forced out shortly after the speech.
Starmer's Legislative Agenda
The embattled prime minister hopes to regain momentum with the announcement, which includes a bill to move closer to the EU, strengthen the immigration system, and all but end the leasehold system. Starmer said on Tuesday night: "The British people expect the government to get on with the job of changing our country for the better."
Key Bills
- EU Alignment Bill: Enables British regulations to align with EU ones, a key step in the promised "reset" with Brussels.
- Energy Independence Bill: Facilitates the transition to clean power and makes it easier to build nuclear power plants.
- British Steel Nationalisation Bill: Fully nationalises British Steel, already under government control.
- Leasehold Reform Bill: Bans the sale of new leasehold flats, though it will not take effect until after the next election.
- NHS England Abolition Bill: Led by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, abolishes NHS England.
- Special Educational Needs Reform Bill: Led by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
- Immigration Bill: Makes it harder for migrants to earn settled status, with some claimants waiting 10 years before qualifying, and restricts use of Article 8 of the ECHR for asylum appeals.
Royal Concerns
Royal sources told Politico that the ceremony could prove embarrassing for King Charles. "It is very embarrassing for the king that his government is such a shambles that he has to read out something that may or may not still be the government's programme by the end of the week," one source said. The source added that Charles's senior aide asked top government officials whether the king should go ahead, but was told it was constitutionally correct. Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
Political Context
The state opening of parliament is the first chance many Labour MPs have had to see each other since local elections sparked leadership speculation. Government aides hope the pomp of the event will dissuade prospective rebels from organising for the prime minister's removal.
Additional reporting by Caroline Davies.
