It was the first address given by a King in 72 years, since King George VI’s reign.
King Charles gave his first address to parliament as a reigning king, detailing the Government’s goals for the following year as well as the importance of agriculture and farmers.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, it was the first address made by a King in 72 years, dating back to the reign of King George VI, the present monarch’s grandfather.
On Tuesday (November 7), the King made a speech in the House of Lords to mark the start of the new legislative year, outlining the Government’s plan for 2023 and 2024.
Prior to the address, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak presented an introduction in which he highlighted how the Government will offer a brighter future for Britain by ‘expanding the economy, building society, keeping people secure, and championing the UK’s national interests on the world stage.
“We are introducing new legislation to grow the economy, increase energy security, attract investment, create jobs, improve skills, and boost our brilliant innovators and entrepreneurs – assisting people everywhere in seizing new opportunities that will improve their lives,” Mr Sunak continued.
“This King’s speech brings about change.” Our economy is changing.
“Our society is changing. Our communities are changing.
“It takes long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
King Charles said in his address that the UK faced “long-term challenges,” but that the Government’s aim will be to make “difficult but necessary long-term decisions to change this country for the better.”
He affirmed that the government will prioritize 21 laws over the next year, including those dealing with criminal justice, commerce, the environment, and employment.
However, not everyone was thrilled with the King’s speech’s government ideas.
In response to King’s speech, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer said that the Conservative Government “cannot deliver the change people are crying out for.”
According to the Scottish National Party, Westminster could have provided assistance to families amid this cost-of-living crisis, but instead’sat on their hands’ with fresh demands for devolution of authority to Scotland.
The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, informed Senedd members that there was “not a single mention of Wales in the speech.”
He went on to say: “There is nothing in the programme which is going to make the lives of people here in Wales better, and it shows a government which has no ambition for the future.”
The Liberal Democrats’ leader, Ed Davey, claimed the King’s Speech showed a government that had “run out of ideas,” and he called for a general election to “put people out of their misery.”
Mind, a mental health organization, expressed disappointment that the government had “failed to prioritize mental health,” which was not addressed in the King’s Speech.
But how did farming and agriculture figure into the King’s speech?
These were the primary issues of discussion when farming and agriculture were mentioned:
1) Export benefits for dairy producers: Under The Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), dairy farmers will benefit from lower tariffs on cheese and butter exports to Canada, Chile, Japan, and Mexico. The deal, according to the government, would provide new export prospects for UK farmers while maintaining UK food safety requirements.
2) Ending live livestock exports and strengthening the UK’s excellent animal welfare standards: The Government’s Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would prohibit the export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses from the United Kingdom for slaughter or fattening. The Bill, according to the government, would “prevent unnecessary stress, exhaustion, and injury caused by exporting live animals” on lengthy travels for slaughter and fattening.
To uphold its ‘strong animal welfare standards,’ the government said that animals will be butchered domestically. The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill would impose a permanent ban on live animal exports, which would be permitted in other circumstances, while reinforcing the UK’s position as a “world leader in animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat and helping to grow the economy.”
3) £4 million to assist farmers via the Smaller Abattoir Fund: The government said that it will assist farmers in improving animal welfare conditions by financing yearly vet checks for all livestock producers, new equipment, and better farm infrastructure. Smaller abattoirs would benefit from a £4 million Smaller Abattoir Fund, which would be launched by the end of 2023 and would aim to promote animal health and welfare as well as aid maintain companies that offer a ‘valued service to farmers and decrease trip times for animals to slaughter’.
4) New regulations pave the way for the adoption of ‘driverless’ agricultural machinery: The Automated Vehicles Bill would establish a legal standard for self-driving vehicles. Only cars that can drive themselves safely and obey all road traffic laws will be classed as self-driving and permitted on our roads. The government said that once cars are on the road, it would hold corporations responsible, as well as investigate and learn from mishaps.
5) Promises to lead action on climate change and biodiversity loss, to assist developing countries with their energy transition, and to hold other countries accountable for their environmental commitments: The government stated that the UK has cut emissions further and faster than any other major economy, and that it is proud to be a world leader in reducing emissions, but that more can be done. The government said that it has one of the most aggressive objectives in the world to reduce emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
