Just days after his election, Sir Keir Starmer has had the opportunity to appear Prime Ministerial on the world stage, travelling across the pond to Washington DC for the annual NATO summit before arriving in Berlin to witness England's devastating loss in the Euro 2024 final. In his first major diplomatic appearence as Prime Minister, Starmer reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine, including through pledging £3 billion a year for military support until at least 2031. As of February, the UK has already pledged almost £312 billion in support of Ukraine, of which £7.1 is military aid. Significantly, Starmer also stated his support for British missiles to be used in strikes against targets in Russia – arguably taking the UK’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war from a defensive to offensive position.
Dominating the political headlines over the weekend was the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump. The Prime Minister spoke with Mr Trump on Sunday afternoon and was amongst world leaders in sharing his concerns. Starmer said he was “appalled by the shocking scenes” and that there was "no place" for political violence.
This week, after what some are calling Parliament’s “freshers’ week” – as newly appointed MPs spent the last seven days acclimatising to their new role in the House of Commons – parliamentarians are returning for the State Opening of Parliament. Marking the formal start of the parliamentary year and giving the Government the opportunity to outline its agenda for the parliamentary year, the State Opening and the King's Speech will be the first clear indicator of what to expect from our new Labour government – some of which has been signalled already.
On Wednesday, the Government is expected to lay out a wide-ranging legislative package, including plans to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords. Alongside reviving pieces of legislation that didn’t make it through the last parliamentary session – including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the Football Governance Bill – Starmer is reported to introduce landmark pieces of policy, including an energy independence bill which will unveil the new, publicly-owned clean energy company, Great British (GB) Energy.
The Government is also expected to invest over £8 billion in the new energy company as part of its target to deliver clean power by 2030. In addition to increasing the UK’s energy security, creating thousands of new jobs and boosting the nation’s green output, GB Energy aims to lower energy bills for every household by an average of £300 per year. This will be welcome news for those currently paying high energy prices, as will the commitment made by Rachel Reeves in her first address as Chancellor last week, that the Government intends to adhere to Labour’s fiscal rules and not increase National Insurance, Income Tax or VAT.
Reeves also used last week’s speech as an opportunity to announce mandatory house building targets “to get Britian building again” – much to the delight of industry voices, who stated its the “first step” to restoring new housing supply and that the sector “stands ready” to support Reeves in her plan. The Chancellor is clearly looking to distance herself from the fiscal policies of the last government, including the economic crisis delivered by then Prime Minister Liz Truss. The warm reception to Reeves’ maiden speech will undoubtedly lift her confidence, especially as the Government fast approaches the Budget this autumn.
The Week in Politics
Tuesday 16th July
House of Commons
- Swearing in of Members of the House of Commons
Wednesday 17th July
House of Commons
- State Opening of Parliament
- Debate on the Address
- Adjournment – Adequacy of health services in rural areas
House of Lords
- State Opening of Parliament
- Motion for Humble Address
Thursday 18th July
House of Commons
- Debate on the Address
- Adjournment – Adequacy of the Scotland Act 1998
House of Lords
- Debate on the Address – Energy, the environment and housing
Friday 19th July
House of Lords
- Debate on the Address – Creating opportunities: education, early years and health care