To think that most people don't understand the significance of the King's Speech

[MargoLivebetter]

As it is happening today, I wondered whether fellow posters would be watching and if they knew what it was all about? I work in the broad field of political matters, so I'm very conscious of it, but I wondered if it meant anything to anyone else.

Interested to hear if I'm being AIBU. I hope I am!

I didn't even know he was making one. Won't be watching and don't know of the significance of it.

@PoliteCritic I don't think the press did have much more detail outside of the broad outlines contained in the Labour manifesto. I hadn't seen any prediction in the press for 40 bills but maybe I missed something somewhere.

The background briefing from the Govt to accompany the speech seems to suggest a lot will be happening. It is the most significant amount of legislation proposed for a session in over 20 years I think. However, like I've said, I'm not an expert, just professionally and personally interested.

@MargoLivebetter The press covered the 40 bills. I read about it as I am actually interested in politics. There were no surprises. But then I knew what was in their manifesto and have listened to what Starmer and Ministers said about the policy they were proposing.

Even 2 days ago the BBC had some info about the Kings speech.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51y7pqy1v3o

And full details of the 40 bills were posted 17 hours ago on the internet.
labourlist.org/2024/07/kings-speech-2024-what-policies-list-law-bills/

@PoliteCritic I don't think we need to fall out about being interested in the contents of the King's Speech.

The list of 40 bills from Tom Belger at Labour List was posted at 1159am today though, not yesterday. I saw it as it came out.

The time stamp says 17 hours ago, but updated more recently.

It's not his opinion lol

I watched it and was glad to see many things included. A sense of hope after all these years.

@Willyoujustbequiet I agree. I don’t feel that this new grown up government has promised too much- feels like they’ve been honest it will be a hard slog and will take time. I was actually quite impressed with Rishi as well (unusually). He was more authentic, statesmanlike and supportive than he has been for some while. I think he’s glad to be out of the hotseat. It feels like all parties are going to work together a bit more.

Did you miss that thing called the manifesto, which (weirdly enough) contained the manifesto?

Bizarre thing to say.

That isn't true. Some things were drip-fed but some were not. There were definitely some surprises - both things included and things that were not.

I disagree - there definitely were surprises. No AI regulation Bill for a start.

The Cybersecurity Bill was new, it wasn't in the manifesto but when they took office they realised that they needed it.

Even the Digital Info and Smart Data bill coming back was a bit of a surprise, though not to some of my colleagues who had been talking to people "in the know". It wasn't in the manifesto though.

And in terms of what wasn't included, their manifesto talked about online fraud, but that wasn't in the KS.

I watched a bit as happened to be near a telly (very rare)
I wondered if there is research which shows what is implemented from each years speech

I did also think that if all the ermine and robes alone were scrapped that that would pay for a few teachers/doctors/policement never mind all the expenses claimed by those who snooze in the Lords (I know some do some work.. but lots don't)

This.

Political ignorance blows my mind.

I did also think that if all the ermine and robes alone were scrapped that that would pay for a few teachers/doctors/policement.

@jealousinjohnlewis don’t the peers pay for their own robes? I found this FOI request:
Robes are rarely used by members of the House of Lords, and members can either use garments from the limited existing stock, or hire their own at their expense, or they may choose not to wear a robe at all. The existing stock includes two non-ermine robes available for use by members.

GertrudeCB · Yesterday 11:25
You see, the above attitude blows my mind. If you live in a country then the politics and government of that country have an effect on you day to day, how can you NOT be aware , if not interested

You must be surprised then at the comments on this thread in which posters thought the King’s Speech was things the King has decided upon.

That is a good question @jealousinjohnlewis I had a look and can't find any statistics (easily anyway because as someone earlier pointed out my capabilities are only those of a politics A level student 😂).

However, you can see which bills went through in each session on the link below:

https://www.parliament.uk/business/bills-and-legislation/current-bills/previous-bills/

the Parallel Parliament website gives summaries of Acts of Parliament created in each session, but you'd have to cross reference to see what was proposed.

Another opportunity for royals to play dress up and do some pretend ‘work’? Could easily be the PM reading it out, as it is them putting the programme forward.

Is it also the point that the history of how we came to be a democracy needs to be retold every time so that the past cannot be revised or rewritten to suit whoever holds power.
As is currently happening in Russia and probably will be in the US if Trump gets in.
Remember how Trumps followers gawped at the 18th century interior and art in the Capitol building.
I would guess none know the history of how democracy came about and how easily Trump will ‘revise ‘ it to keep himself in power. It but more pomp and ceremony might help the US get back to the ideals of the Founding Fathers.

I mean the Manifesto is a ' This is what we plan to do over the 5 years of our government while the KS is what they plan to do in this Parliamentary session. They can't stuff it all into 9 months and then twiddle their thumbs for 4 years- even if the Tories ' got Brext done'and did nothing else for 8 years...