(HorizonPost.com) – His Majesty King Charles III delivered the final King’s Speech before the next election to British lawmakers packed into the House of Lords on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
The King’s Speech is prepared by the government but read to the houses of parliament by the reigning monarch.
In what was the first King’s Speech of his Monarchy, Charles said the government would “seek to make long-term decisions in the interests of future generations.”
The King set out the plans of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government to address crime, climate change, and economic growth that signaled Sunak’s intention to draw a clear distinction between the Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party before next year’s expected election.
The speech focused largely on domestic issues, signaling the government’s intent to move forward with the Sentencing Bill, aimed at bringing tougher jail sentences to serious offenders. The government also pledged to reduce inflation and boost economic growth.
In the King’s Speech, the government outlined its climate policies, which are likely in conflict with the King’s own views on climate change.
The prime minister confirmed in his introduction to the King’s Speech that he would present legislation to parliament to hold licensing rounds for North Sea gas and oil permits annually, something the Labour Party has rejected.
Addressing parliament when its new session opened, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said the Conservatives were using the King’s Speech to try to save their skins.
With Labour polling far ahead of the Conservatives, it is likely that Tuesday’s speech could be his first and last King’s Speech as Prime Minister.
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