In a long Queen’s Speech delivered on Monday the Government has set out a host of proposed bills to be introduced this year.
Law and Order is a key priority. The Sentencing Bill will lengthen the automatic release point from halfway to two-thirds for adult offenders serving long sentences for serious violence or sexual offences –recognising the public’s frustration (and that of many victims) on early release. We will also be working with the parole board to address the dreadful situation in which convicted murderers refuse to reveal the last resting place of their victims: adding to the distress of family members. A Police Protections Bill will also be introduced to support the police and recognise their commitment and bravery.
A range of measures will help keep people safe in other ways – improved personal information on personal pensions provision and rights; a hugely important bill will tackle domestic abuse and measures will increase residents’ safety at home. Bills will create a “Health Services Safety Investigations Body” and steps will be taken to ensure innovative drugs can be made available more quickly through the NHS.
A landmark Environmental Bill will create an Office for the Environment – increasing protections while bearing down further on singe use plastic and air pollution.
The first priority is however obvious – to resolve Brexit. As I write talks are ongoing. As someone who has consistently supported us honouring the referendum result through an agreed withdrawal deal I hope just such a deal is forthcoming which will secure the support of Parliament.
On a personal level the State Opening was an extraordinary experience. As part of my Royal Duties, as the Comptroller of the Household, I report early to Buckingham Palace and have the privilege of joining the carriage procession to Parliament. I then joined the formal procession behind Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales to the Lords before returning via the same route to the Palace. (On arrival my fellow MP, the Vice Chamberlain, who is “held hostage” for the Queen’s safe return was duly released!)
Seeing the thousands lining the procession route was a brief window on a different world – which our Royal Family undertake so well. As someone who loves history, the pageantry is a visual reminder of a flexible constitution that has been able to evolve over centuries through common sense and mutual respect. There is also something extraordinary about being in close proximity to the Imperial State Crown – containing so many reminders of our history: the Black Prince’s ruby worn by Henry V at Agincourt; the emerald worn by Edward the Confessor at his coronation in 1042; the pearls worn as earings by the last Queen Elizabeth. The crown also contains the Cullinan, the largest diamond ever found: the Government of Natal was so worried about its safety when they presented it to Edward VII that they commissioned a special safe, hired a steamship, briefed the Royal Navy and, having established the ruse, popped it in the post addressed to the King at Buckingham Palace – it arrived safely.
Photo Credit: It was a pleasure to meet a great team helping out in the Station Road Gardens, Billingshurst on Saturday. Keith Brown has been a stalwart here for years and was being helped to give an autumn spruce up to this much loved community asset by Billingshurst Rotary, Jardiner Maintenance and Billingshurst residents.