King's Speech - Labour's ghastly plans to destroy the UK (or something)

[NoGarlic]

Just had a quick read of the main points.

The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kings-speech-2026-summary-key-bills-highlights-new-laws-ncvrqpp3b

Archive of same: <a class="break-all" href="https://archive.is/20260513150738/www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kings-speech-2026-summary-key-bills-highlights-new-laws-ncvrqpp3b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://archive.is/20260513150738/www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kings-speech-2026-summary-key-bills-highlights-new-laws-ncvrqpp3b

It looks pretty sensible to me. I realise the European alignment, while minor, will be controversial. I don't think we can reasonably manage our economy without it - and, further, I feel we really need more rapprochement in light of developing threats.

The other sticky point is about SEN provision. Can see that getting derailed. I very much like the policing reforms, housing policy changes, and abolishment of NHS England (though unsure about ministerial control).

MN keeps doing that with archive links 😬

Here: <a class="break-all" href="https://archive.is/20260513150738/www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kings-speech-2026-summary-key-bills-highlights-new-laws-ncvrqpp3b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/4eF5Ung

or:
<a class="break-all" href="https://archive.is/20260513150738/www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kings-speech-2026-summary-key-bills-highlights-new-laws-ncvrqpp3b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://archive.is/20260513150738/www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kings-speech-2026-summary-key-bills-highlights-new-laws-ncvrqpp3b

If it bowdlerises these too, I'm giving up!

It was the digital ID bit that worries me.

"Citizens will be able to use the digitial ID to access public services."

My guess is they will tie the ID to voting so non citizens will also vote (in theory to prop up Labour). Then the ID will become the only way to access services and money when we get the digital pound over the next 2-3 years.

I don't know what to think about that, @TheNoonBell. Something like it's inevitable, I guess. Practically everything's digital already. As long as there's no co-ordinated channel, we're creating multiple IDs with thousands of different providers, giving them our details without knowledge of who's getting the data and what they're doing with it.

That creates easy opportunities for ID theft. Despite my lack of faith in a UK government's ability to securely maintain a giant, sensitive database, it's better than half a dozen banks, a dozen government departments and assorted trading outfits all having their own copies of your personal ID.

Digital exclusion's a serious concern. I'm pleased to see the Bill would compel local authorities to maintain offline access, but I think this needs expanding and strengthening. I'm not so bothered about the digital pound. The BofE isn't withdrawing physical money, and most transactions are digital anyway.