This week we saw King Charles deliver the first King’s Speech under a Labour government at the State Opening of Parliament. It has been 14 years since the Monarch last gave their speech under a Labour government, making this years State Opening a truly historic occasion.
The Speech has set out a truly transformative agenda covering everything from the economy and planning reform to fighting climate change, promising to tackle some of the most pressing issues in Britain and take our country forward. I am delighted to play my part in delivering this change for the people of Manchester Rusholme and working people across Britain.
After 14 years of Tory chaos and decline, we finally have the opportunity to take the breaks off Britain and create wealth in every community. I am exceptionally pleased to support the Government’s transformative agenda on climate change, reversing years of Tory recklessness that has seen Britain fall completely off the world stage in leading the fight against the climate crisis. By establishing GB Energy, a publicly-owned energy company that will own, manage and operate clean power projects across the UK, we will usher the nation towards a full transition to clean energy, bringing down the cost of energy bills and reclaiming our place as a global leader on climate change alongside our allies and I look forward to working with ministers on this in the coming months.
On housing, this Labour Government is standing up for renters, by introducing the Renters Rights bill, giving renters greater rights and protections and a clear commitment to end no fault evictions and applying a Decent Homes Standard to ensure homes are safe. Having campaigned for the implementation of a Decent Home Standard and Awaab’s Law in the last Parliament, I am exceptionally pleased that we are finally able to introduce legislation on this and deliver this as a matter of urgency.
Under the Tories, our railways have fallen into decline. 30 years after privatisation, Britain’s railways are in a deepening crisis, made worst by successive Tory governments. I know all too well of the grim, daily reality of late, overcrowded and cancelled services which is why I am exceptionally proud to be part of a government that has committed to renationalising our railways. This, alongside with the Better Buses Bill, which gives greater control of bus services to local authorities, will serve to strengthen links across cities and towns, restoring pride back into our public transport services.
As a longstanding, proud member of GMB and Unison, I am in full support of the Employment Rights Bill which will ban companies imposing zero-hour contracts, outlaw fire and rehire tactics and strengthen workers’ rights by providing parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal to all workers. The Government’s plan to make work pay is a much needed refresh on previous draconian attempts by the Tories to clamp down on workers rights and I am keen to work together with unions and ministers to ensure that worker’s rights continue to be at the heart of Labour’s commitment to serve working people.
I’m proud to be part of a Government that is committed to making our streets safer. I have heard firsthand from my constituents about the impact of crime on their lives, particularly that of knife crime. This Labour Government has committed to not only being tough on crime, but on the causes of crime. With the new Policing and Crime Bill, measures will be put in place to halve serious crime including a ban on ninja swords and I look forward to working with both GMP and ministers on this bill in the coming months to ensure that together, with affected families and local police, the scourge of knife crime is fully eliminated from our streets for good.
This King’s Speech was also historic in being the first to affirm Labour’s commitment to spark a renewed peace process between Israel and Palestine, outlining a clear commitment to peace and security under a two state solution between a viable, sovereign Palestinian state and a secure Israel. The horrific violence we have witnessed in Gaza for the past 10 months must end now and that begins with a firm commitment the recognition of a Palestinian state. I am exceptionally pleased, that following Labour’s motion in support for a ceasefire in February, now in Government, we are able to move forward in working together with our allies in brokering peace in the Middle East and I will certainly continue to play my part in the coming weeks, in helping to secure this in any way I can.
I am also pleased to support the English Devolution Bill, which will give new powers to local mayors and councils. The work of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has seen our city level up to compete with the likes of London, delivering for people across Greater Manchester and serving as a testament to the transformative change that can be made under Labour. Now with a Labour government, we can take that change to the next level and reinstate Manchester’s status as a world class city and I will continue to work closely with the Mayor, Manchester City Council and ministers here in Parliament to make sure that Manchester is at the helm of our plans for national renewal.
This King’s Speech has laid out an agenda that affirms this Labour Government’s commitment to be in service of working people across Manchester Rusholme and across the country. With 39 bills laid out over the course of the next year to improve the economy, housing, workers rights, the environment and reinstate Britain’s leadership on the world stage, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work together with ministers and my fellow Labour colleagues in delivering the change that our constituents have been desperately crying out for. This is a government in the service of working people, and this King’s Speech is a great start to a decade of national renewal.