Queen's speech to Parliament Dec 2019, re Brexit, etc

[Eric J (Viking)]

Not sure if in the right section... I'm sure mods can fix if need be.

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My Lords and Members of the House of Commons.

My Government’s priority is to deliver the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on 31 January. My Ministers will bring forward legislation to ensure the United Kingdom’s exit on that date and to make the most of the opportunities that this brings for all the people of the United Kingdom.

Thereafter, my Ministers will seek a future relationship with the European Union based on a free trade agreement that benefits the whole of the United Kingdom. They will also begin trade negotiations with other leading global economies.

The integrity and prosperity of the United Kingdom is of the utmost importance to my Government. My Ministers will work urgently to facilitate talks to restore devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

My Government will embark on an ambitious programme of domestic reform that delivers on the people’s priorities. For the first time, the National Health Service’s multi-year funding settlement, agreed earlier this year, will be enshrined in law.

Steps will be taken to grow and support the National Health Service’s workforce and a new visa will ensure qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals have fast-track entry to the United Kingdom. Hospital car parking charges will be removed for those in greatest need.

My Ministers will seek cross-party consensus on proposals for long term reform of social care. They will ensure that the social care system provides everyone with the dignity and security they deserve and that no one who needs care has to sell their home to pay for it. My ministers will continue work to reform the Mental Health Act.

A modern, fair, points-based immigration system will welcome skilled workers from across the world to contribute to the United Kingdom’s economy, communities and public services.

My Government will bring forward measures to support working families, raising the National Insurance threshold and increasing the National Living Wage. To ensure every child has access to a high-quality education my Ministers will increase levels of funding per pupil in every school.

Measures will be brought forward to encourage flexible working, to introduce the entitlement to leave for unpaid carers and to help people save for later life. New measures will be brought forward to protect tenants and to improve building safety. My Government will take steps to support home ownership, including by making homes available at a discount for local first-time buyers. My Ministers will develop legislation to improve internet safety for all.

My Government is committed to a fair justice system that keeps people safe. My ministers will establish a Royal Commission to review and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice process. New sentencing laws will ensure the most serious violent offenders, including terrorists, serve longer in custody. New laws will require schools, police, councils and health authorities to work together to prevent serious crime. My Government will ensure those charged with knife possession face swift justice and that the courts work better for all those who engage with them, including victims of domestic abuse. Legislation will be brought forward to support victims of crime and their families. Measures will be developed to tackle hostile activity conducted by foreign states.

My Ministers will bring forward measures to ensure that every part of the United Kingdom can prosper. My Government will invest in the country’s public services and infrastructure whilst keeping borrowing and debt under control; maintaining the sustainability of the public finances through a responsible fiscal strategy. My Government will prioritise investment in infrastructure and world-leading science research and skills, in order to unleash productivity and improve daily life for communities across the country. It will give communities more control over how investment is spent so that they can decide what is best for them.

To support business, my government will increase tax credits for research and development, establish a National Skills Fund, and bring forward changes to business rates. New laws will accelerate the delivery of gigabit capable broadband. To ensure people can depend on the transport network, measures will be developed to provide for minimum levels of service during transport strikes.

My Government will continue to take steps to meet the world-leading target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It will continue to lead the way in tackling global climate change, hosting the COP26 Summit in 2020. To protect and improve the environment for future generations, a bill will enshrine in law environmental principles and legally-binding targets, including for air quality. It will also ban the export of polluting plastic waste to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and establish a new, world-leading independent regulator in statute.

A Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission will be established. Work will be taken forward to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.

My Government will continue to invest in our gallant Armed Forces. My Government will honour the Armed Forces Covenant, which will be further incorporated into law, and the NATO commitment to spend at least two per cent of national income on defence. It will bring forward proposals to tackle vexatious claims that undermine our Armed Forces and will continue to seek better ways of dealing with legacy issues that provide better outcomes for victims and survivors.

My Government will work to promote and expand the United Kingdom’s influence in the world. An Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review will be undertaken to reassess the nation’s place in the world, covering all aspects of international policy from defence to diplomacy and development. My Ministers will promote the United Kingdom’s interests, including freedom of speech, human rights and the rule of law. My Government will work closely with international partners to help solve the most complex international security issues and promote peace and security globally. It will stand firm against those who threaten the values of the United Kingdom, including by developing a sanctions regime to directly address human rights abuse, and working to ensure that all girls have access to twelve years of quality education.

Members of the House of Commons

Estimates for the public services will be laid before you.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

Other measures will be laid before you.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.

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Viking

[Tintin]

And copied from here

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Queen's Speech 2019

22 new Bills to be introduced in Parliament

Tintin Quarantino - December 19th, 2019

As is customary, ahead of a new Parliamentary session following a General Election, the incumbent monarch presents the government's policy proposals, some of which have already begun their journey through parliament. These speeches are nearly always presented in an agreeable way but in my experience are usually riddled with IEDs as they are often, of course, worded very deliberately vaguely.

And, the future looks ever more bleak for Julian Assange as - his Case Management Hearing is also scheduled for today - this Conservative government, arguably even more extremist than the Thatcher administrations of the 1970s-1980s were perceived to be, is unlikely to apply any clemency; that should concern any individual who values freedom of expression and institutional accountability - holding truth to power - as it may relate to any anti-terror legislation.

An example of the (deliberately) vague language used is encapsulated particularly starkly in the following paragraph:

"My Government is committed to a fair justice system that keeps people
safe. My ministers will establish a Royal Commission to review and
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice process.
New sentencing laws will ensure the most serious violent offenders,
including terrorists, serve longer in custody [Counter Terrorism
(Sentencing and Release) Bill, Sentencing Bill]. New laws will
require schools, police, councils and health authorities to work together
to prevent serious crime [Serious Violence Bill]"

What exactly constitutes the definition of 'terrorist', or what a 'serious crime' may soon be defined as?

Which measures, as encompassed in for example this sentence, will be introduced?

"Measures will be developed to
tackle hostile activity conducted by foreign states."

Are we to suppose that journaiists and what remains of the free press will be considered 'foreign states'?

We've also already witnessed the exposure of the state propaganda machine parading itself as the Integrity Initiative neatly summarised in this tweet by Jonathan Cook.

Plans to repeal the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, which, as James Morrison of the Oxford University Press writes in Essential Public Affairs - 2013: "...was also enacted in order to stop opportunist prime ministers ever again calling snap elections to capitalise on hefty poll leads”, and he adds, “it has proved itself wholly incapable of doing any such thing.”

And amongst others outlined in the speech, this most peculiar commitment:

"working to ensure that all girls have access to twelve years of
quality education."

Aside from the clear gender distinction ie why shouldn't that apply to all children, what may this education comprise?

My view is that we should remain extraordinarily vigilant with respect to this Boris Johnson government. Without any effective opposition now in Parliament many of the more extreme proposals outlined here are likely to become law with very little obstruction. That's a major concern.

[ExomatrixTV]

UK parliament reopening ceremony with the Queen's speech following the general election | (was) LIVE:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=us9VY4LxnAs

Starts at 1:16:16 Queen Elisabeth (93 years old).

Content starts at 1:22:00


MPs debate Boris Johnson's legislative agenda outlined in the Queen's speech at the House of Commons:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ps1ZL4UWrKM

[ExomatrixTV]

Scotland vote on independence would be a ‘never-endum’ – Galloway

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=h00QM4gCkAY

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has asked UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a second referendum to decide on independence for Scotland, which would complicate the already contentious Brexit. Former MP George Galloway weighs in.

[ExomatrixTV]

Brexit top 'priority' in Queen’s (93) speech to parliament:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=SMk6kCG2xcI

The Queen has outlined her government’s legislative priorities in a speech on Thursday marking the official opening of the UK parliament.

[ExomatrixTV]