Last Wednesday, the Queen came to the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament. Her speech each year sets out the Government’s legislative agenda.
As well as the tradition and pageantry, the event also marks the start of the new parliamentary session – the previous session started a couple of weeks after last year’s General Election.
I welcome moves to bring in a British Bill of Rights. It will better protect the human rights system from abuse while continuing to protect fundamental rights. It is worth remembering that the current Human Rights Act was only introduced in 1998, under Tony Blair’s government.
A disappointment was that there was no Sovereignty Bill announced to assert the UK Parliament’s supremacy. It is clear that only by voting to Leave the European Union on 23rd June we can assure the primacy of our national democracy.
I continue to work to support the Crawley Town Community Foundation in delivering National Citizen Service to 15-17 year olds. Across the country more than 200,000 people have taken part, including two cohorts from Crawley over the last year.
NCS will be put on a statutory footing through the National Citizen Service Bill; I support the Government in working to ensure all young people have the opportunity to take part, and to enhance personal qualities such as developing their confidence and boosting leadership skills.
Social action projects are also an important part of the Community Foundation’s NCS schemes, and young people involved have raised hundreds of pounds for Friends of Manor Green and Crawley Open House.
Other measures include further work to clamp down on abuse of the NHS. This will ensure that overseas visitors pay for the health treatment they receive at public expense. It goes without saying that no one will be denied urgent treatment, and vulnerable groups will continue to be exempt from charging.
Additionally, a new Broadband Universal Service Obligation will ensure people have the legal right to have a fast broadband connection installed, with initial speeds of 10Mbps. A new Electronic Communication Code will make it easier and cheaper to build mobile and superfast broadband infrastructure, to ensure the development of the digital economy.