By way of the somewhat ludicrous annual spectacle of a grand procession to bring the sovereign to the House of Lords to read it out loud, the government has announced its legislative programme for the year.
The main drive of the 2016 Speech from the Throne was a big rebranding attempt by the government, even against the distracting backdrop of the impending referendum, to try and reframe its political agenda as a 'life chances strategy'. There where elements of it throughout the speech.
The speech featured a number of policy ideas that had already been announced. There was Help to Save, a government aided savings scheme for low paid workers that was announced by the Chancellor that is similar to a Labour scheme previously cancelled by the government. There was also the Chancellor's tax on sugary drinks, mention of infrastructure investment like broadband roll-out, the Northern Powerhouse local devolution project and the controversial push to a seven day NHS.
The speech featured a number of policy ideas that had already been announced. There was Help to Save, a government aided savings scheme for low paid workers that was announced by the Chancellor that is similar to a Labour scheme previously cancelled by the government. There was also the Chancellor's tax on sugary drinks, mention of infrastructure investment like broadband roll-out, the Northern Powerhouse local devolution project and the controversial push to a seven day NHS.
New announcements along the lines of 'life chances' included new measures to improve education for prisoners, overhauling the prison system to focus on how to give prisoners a second chance. The focus on a new strategy meant that other matters were pushed to one side.
Though bullishly promised, forced academisation seems to have slipped down the order and became a promise to ensure excellence in schools. Considering the negative reaction that the policy has received, it's absence is unsurprising.
More surprising perhaps is that the government has made no definitive move in its wrestle with the House of Lords. The lords has rebelled against government policy numerous times since the last election, yet the so called Sovereignty Bill was reduced to just a reference to a commitment to "uphold the sovereignty of Parliament and the primacy of the House of Commons".
Of course, talk of austerity was pushed aside as well. No new measures were announced but the speech did include the now familiar claim that the government will "continue to bring public finances under control so Britain lives within its means".
Back in the Commons, the debate on the Speech was started by a Conservative backbencher who was perfectly on message, making sure to repeat the phrase 'life chances'.
Jeremy Corbyn, in his response, was sure to pick up on the theme of 'life chances'. He set about listing ways in which austerity has completely undermined any strategy to improve life chances - from the bedroom tax to cuts to disability allowances.
What is clear is that Cameron's circle is trying to reframe its time in government, digging up phrases like 'One Nation', to try and recast new policies like competition in higher education as improving 'life chances', even as 'progressive', through justifications like greater choice for consumers.
In the Commons today, Prime Minister David Cameron was at his most smugly comfortable at the heart the Westminster establishment on a day of extraordinary ritual and pageantry. He wielded the word progressive like he meant to claim it and rebrand it as well - a chilling signal of revisions to come.
In the Commons today, Prime Minister David Cameron was at his most smugly comfortable at the heart the Westminster establishment on a day of extraordinary ritual and pageantry. He wielded the word progressive like he meant to claim it and rebrand it as well - a chilling signal of revisions to come.
True progressives need to be wary of these efforts. The Conservative media machine has proved itself very effective in the past, so it isn't hard to see them finding success pursuing a revision of history to emphasise, or de-emphasise, events as they see fit. The reality of hard times should not be forgotten by progressives and they should not let the reality of those times be lost in public debate.
References
'State Opening of Parliament'; from Parliament; as of 18th May 2016.
'Queen's Speech 2016: Her Majesty’s most gracious speech to both Houses of Parliament at the State Opening of Parliament 2016'; from GOV.UK; 18 May 2016.
'Budget 2016: Low-paid workers to receive savings bonus'; on the BBC; 14 March 2016.
Anushka Asthana's 'Cameron's attempt to bury the austerity legacy - Queen's speech verdict: Queen’s speech is culmination of months of work by No 10 strategists trying to shift narrative away from austerity and Europe'; in The Guardian; 18 May 2016.
Graham Kirby's 'Queen’s Speech: Cameron Continues To Seek a Legacy Beyond Austerity'; in Disclaimer Magazine; 18 May 2016.
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