2026: Week 19 - Opening of Parliament and Local Elections
It’s been back to Westminster this week for the State Opening of Parliament. This ceremonial event marks the start of a Parliamentary Session, and involves the Monarch delivering a speech outlining the Government’s agenda for the session.
Despite the disastrous results for Labour at last week’s local elections, I feel the King’s Speech didn’t go nearly far enough to address the change that the country so desperately needs, and is clamouring for. This was an opportunity for the Government to be ambitious, to call for action and to make this country work for everyone, not just the wealthy.
What is clear is that the old “two party politics” is finished, but we must be wary of the populists and extremists who just want to destroy our democracy for the sake of it.
Millions of people need change, and rightly demanded it at the polling booth last week. They want to build things up, and make positive changes, which is what the Liberal Democrats are offering. The kind of change that brings people, communities and our country together, rather than dividing and blaming people.
There were some good things in the speech, issues that I have been pushing for, such as breaking the link between gas and energy prices, investing in homegrown renewable power and action on sewage and water companies, but there was so much more that could have been included.
I would have liked to have seen urgent action to end the social care crisis, an ambitious EU reset bill, including a commitment to a bespoke UK-EU customs union, and a Good Food Bill to prioritise food security and back British farmers.
It is also important that the country has stability. Over the past 10 years Britain has seen 6 different prime ministers, with the very real possibility of there being a 7th before long. This constant changing of leadership causes huge uncertainty for the people of this country, feeling like they are lurching from crisis to disaster and back again. The current infighting and plotting within the labour party is doing nothing but creating more instability and is overshadowing the work that needs to be done to make our country better. The Government needs to settle their internal arguments, decide which direction they want to go in, and stick to their Labour values. Mimicking the divisive rhetoric spouted by other parties and pandering to the anti-immigration lobby has done nothing to boost their ratings.
Closer to home I attended the funeral of Cllr Mike James, who passed away in April following a short illness. He was a dedicated Councillor who held seats on both Teignbridge District and Dawlish Town councils. He was also a volunteer Governor of Torbay Hospital. Mike was a fantastic example of a true public servant; he dedicated his time voluntarily to make life better for the communities around him. He was always willing to help anyone, and his kind and calm nature smoothed many a worry. I will miss his talents as a Councillor, but more so I will miss him as a friend. Sleep well.