At the state opening of parliament today, the King announced in his speech to ‘halve violence against women and girls’ alongside legislation to improve policing power and improved victim support.
MPs made their way to the House of Peers from the commons today to attend King Charles and Queen Camilla for the King’s second speech since being crowned monarch. Prime minister Keir Starmer could be seen walking next to former conservative prime minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Shabana Mahmood presented the King with the speech from a ceremonial purse. The King opened the speech by stating the new government will be ‘mission led’ and that ‘stability will be the cornerstone of economic policy, tax and spending changes’.
Alongside draft legislation that ‘will break down the barriers to opportunity’ and is ‘committed to making work pay’ in the wake of the cost of living crisis, the King said: ‘My government will be committed to halving violence against women and girls, make Britain’s streets safer and increase community policing support for victims. There will be an increase in policing power, a prioritisation of safety and security at public venues to keep the public safe from terrorism.’
The speech also focused on issues facing the NHS, with the King stating that: “The national health service will treat mental health with the same focus as physical health,” and calls for the Mental Health Act to ‘reflect the 21st century’. The monarch also stressed the importance of wellbeing amongst children and race equality.
The King stated that the new government will provide fresh legislation on immigration policies alongside stricter enforcements at the border to tackle crime.
The speech comes ahead of two state visits to Samoa and Australia for the King and Queen, whilst the traditional parliamentary debate following the speech will see MPs discuss the government’s plans for the year ahead.
