On Wednesday, King Charles delivered the Labour government's first King's Speech in the House of Lords. Part of the State Opening of Parliament, the speech set out the new government's priorities for the months ahead. This was a speech designed to demonstrate that the new government means business. Themed around Labour’s five key missions, there are a grand total of 40 Bills, with four of these being draft ones.
Labour’s missions are as follows: secure sustained economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower, build an NHS fit for purpose, make Britain’s streets safe, and break down barriers to opportunity at every stage.
There is very little to disagree with here. Economic growth helps fund debt repayments and money for schools and hospitals. Becoming a clean energy superpower is also a worthwhile and necessary goal, not least because our country was impacted by Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine in terms of being overly energy dependent on other nations. And surely we would agree that the NHS needs urgent reform. We all want to see safe streets and indeed, Biblically this is a priority for government. Finally, opportunity for everyone, at least on paper, is connected to the idea that we are all made in God’s image.
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