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Britain's GOLDEN AGE: Boris gives blueprint for post-Brexit revolution


Boris Johnson golden age britain brexit

Boris Johnson has promised a a new “golden age” for Britain in post-Brexit revolution (Image: Getty Images)

At the annual State Opening of Parliament, the Queen announced his new Government programme centred on getting the country out of the EU next month and transforming the public services.

In a hint of the scale of his ambition following is landslide general election win, the Prime Minister insisted he had a vision for the country for the next decade.

“This is not a programme for one year, or one Parliament it is a blueprint for the future of Britain. Just imagine where this country could be in ten years’ time,” he told MPs.

“A new golden age for this United Kingdom is now within reach.”

His “blue army” of Tory MPs cheered in delight as the flagship measure in his programme, his EU Withdrawal Bill, was formally introduced into the Commons yesterday.

The measure, which will rubber stamp his EU exit deal with Brussels, is set to win the backing of the overwhelming majority of MPs today following his election triumph.

At a slimmed-down State Opening of Parliament shorn of much its usual pomp and ceremony, the Queen announced 25 Government Bills including key Brexit measures and proposals to boost NHS funding, strengthen law and order and border controls, increase homeownership and modernise the country’s infrastructure.

Her traditional speech on the occasion to MPs and peers said: “My Government’s priority is to deliver the UK’s departure from the EU on January 31.

“My ministers will bring forward legislation to ensure the UK’s exit on that date and make the most of the opportunities that this brings for all the people of the UK.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn

The Prime Minister arrives at the State Opening of Parliament alongside Jeremy Corbyn (Image: Getty Images)

Most of the measures – including setting up a new points-based immigration system, toughening sentences for violent offenders and increasing NHS funding by nearly £34billion a year by 2023/24 – were the same as those announced in the previous Queen’s Speech in October just before the election was called.

New measures included an Employment Bill to enhance workplace rights after the country leaves the EU and espionage legislation to crack down on spies from Russia and other hostile foreign powers.

In Commons exchanges after the Queen’s Speech, the Prime Minister indicated he would use his thumping 80-seat majority to repay the trust of the millions of voters who backed the Tories at the election.

“This is the moment to repay the trust of those who sent us here by delivering on the people’s priorities with the most radical Queen’s Speech for a generation, he told MPs.

He said his 10-year blueprint would bring trade deals around the world to boost UK jobs, 40 new hospitals, great schools in every community and “the biggest transformation of our infrastructure since the Victorian age.”

Taunting the depleted opposition benches, he said: “And in spite of the negativity you will hear from the other side we will work flat out to deliver it.”

Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg

Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg (Image: Getty Images)

He added: “As we engage full tilt now in this mission of change I am filled with invincible confidence in the ability of this nation, our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to renew itself in this generation as we have done so many times in the past.

“And after the dither after the delay, after the deadlock, after the paralysis and the platitudes the time has come for change and the time has come for action.”

In his Commons response to the Queen’s Speech, Jeremy Corbyn claimed the programme was full of “gimmicks” and insisted the NHS was “on its knees”.

In an angry rant, the outgoing Labour leader rubbished the programme as “miserably weak”.

He told MPs: “As this Queen’s Speech shows, what the Government is actually proposing is woefully inadequate for the scale problems that this country faces.”

But he triggered laughter from the Tory benches by claiming the general election in which his party scored its worst result for more than 70 years had “forced the terrain to shift”.

Former prime minister Theresa May used the Queen’s Speech debate to pay a generous tribute to her successor Mr Johnson on his “overwhelming win” in the general election.

“I have been in this House for over 22 years and this is the largest number of Conservative MPs I have seen in this House,” she said.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walk through the Royal Gallery

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales walk through the Royal Gallery (Image: Getty Images)

Backing him to secure a free trade deal with Brussels next year, she added: “There are those who say it cannot be done. I do not believe that. I have every confidence that it can be done.”

The Queen’s Speech confirmed plans for the “deepest review” of Britain’s security defence, and foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.

Led by the Prime Minister, it will cover the armed forces, the intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism as well as the future development of foreign policy.

The Government will look at whether the Official Secrets Act needs overhauling in the wake of the Salisbury chemical weapons attack as well as considering whether there is a case for updating the treason laws.

Other pledges include a plan to change business rates – with a retail discount upped from one-third to 50%, and measures will be developed to provide for minimum levels of service during transport strikes.

The Speech also repeated the Government’s a commitment for ministers to seek cross-party consensus on proposals for long-term reform of social care – with a vow that no-one who needs care will have to sell their home to pay for it.

In a written introduction to the speech, Mr Johnson said: “Last week’s seismic election not only changed the political landscape, it has broken the parliamentary deadlock of the last three years and allowed the country to go forward.

“Millions of people, many of them who have never voted Conservative before, put their faith in this Government and voted overwhelmingly for us to move this country on and deliver change.

“We have no time to waste, and we begin immediately with the most radical Queen’s Speech in a generation to deliver on the priorities of the British people.”

Mr Johnson last night moved to complete a series of ministerial appointments since his poll triumph by bringing former Tory MP Zac Goldsmith, who lost his seat at the election, back into the Government as a peer.

The Environment Minister lost his Richmond Park seat to Lib Dem Sarah Olney last week but will retain his ministerial post and right to attend Cabinet meetings as a member of the House of Lords.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May walks through the Commons Members Lobby

Former Prime Minister Theresa May walks through the Commons Members Lobby (Image: Getty Images)

Immigration

A new Australian-style points-based immigration system will be rolled out in 2021 as freedom of movement from the EU is brought to an end.

This will “enable the government to deliver a single global immigration system based on people’s skills”.

The new points-based system will see people who want to move to the UK rated on their skills and on the contribution they could make to society.

The government believes this will allow Britain to attract the “brightest and best people from the whole world” to come and live and work in the UK after Brexit.

The exact mechanics of the new points-based system will be set out in the New Year after the independent Migration Advisory Committee has published a report in January with its own recommendations.

The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill will formally stop free movement and allow the government to replace existing border control measures.

It will mean that EU citizens who can currently come to the UK to live and work without having to pass any tests or meet any specific requirements will be subject to the same treatment as non-EU citizens.

Meanwhile, the new laws will also include measures to guard against skill shortages in certain industries.

New visa schemes will be introduced so that roles can be quickly filled. This will include a ‘fast-track’ visa for qualified people from overseas who want to fill roles in the NHS.

The health surcharge – the amount of money which has to be paid by migrants to access the NHS – will also be increased to “ensure it covers the full cost of use”.

Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen's Speech

Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen’s Speech (Image: Getty Images)

Law and Order

Topping the list of changes to the criminal justice system, Boris Johnson has brought in a fresh bill to look at the sentencing and release of terrorist offenders.

The Counter Terrorism (Sentencing and Release) Bill vows to lock up serious and dangerous terrorists for longer.

The move comes after a high-profile debate on terrorists in the prison system during the election campaign following the London Bridge attack.

Sentencing also features more broadly, with a law to ensure violent and serious offenders serve longer periods of their time in prison, and a Royal Commission will be set up to look at ways to improve efficiency of the criminal justice system.

A bill will also be introduced to force schools, police, councils and other authorities to work more closely together in preventing serious crime, amid a high-profile spike in knife offences.

Ministers are also promising to bring back the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, and allow “no-fault” divorces to diffuse conflict under new divorce and separation laws.

NHS

Another eye-catching vow is the NHS Funding Bill, confirming a multi-year cash commitment to the health service.

According to the PM this act will make it illegal for ministers not to provide an extra £33.9billion a year by 2023/24 to the organisation.

The Queen’s Speech also mentions plans to set up a new NHS visa for qualified doctors, nurses and health workers to gain fast-tracked entry to the UK.

The Government programme meanwhile highlights the Medicines and Medical Devices Bill brought back from the October agenda, aimed at improving access to innovative medicines.

The Health Service Safety Investigations Bill also re-appears, aimed at setting up an an independent body to investigate patient safety concerns. In a throwaway line that could have big implications, the Government meanwhile says it plans to “pursue reforms to make the NHS safer for patients”.

Members of the Yeoman Guard

Members of the Yeoman Guard (Image: Getty Images)

Armed Forces

The Queen’s speech confirmed plans for the “deepest review” of Britain’s security defence and foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.

Led by the Prime Minister, it will cover the armed forces, the intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism as well as the future development of foreign policy.

The Government will look at whether the Official Secrets Act needs overhauling in the wake of the Salisbury chemical weapons attack as well as considering whether there is a case for updating the treason laws.

It will honour the Armed Forces Covenant, which will be further incorporated into law, and the NATO commitment to spend at least two per cent of national income on defence.

The government will also bring forward proposals to tackle vexatious claims that undermine our Armed Forces and will continue to seek better ways of dealing with legacy issues that provide better outcomes for victims and survivors.

Infrastructure

Boris Johnson gave the strongest signal yet he will steam ahead with the next stage of the £88billion HS2 rail link.

The scheme would link London, Birmingham and cities in the north like Manchester and Leeds with lines capable of carrying trains at speeds of up to 225mph.

The bill in the Queen’s Speech would give approval to phase 2A of the scheme, which covers a stretch between the West Midlands and Crewe.

It gives the Government the power to “compulsorily acquire the land needed for the railway, construct the railway and operate it”.

HS2 has been dogged by delay, scandal and spiralling costs in recent years.

It is unpopular with many shire Tories over the plans to buy land and demolish homes to build the route through the heart of England.

This prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to commission an independent review into the project earlier this year.

The full review has yet to be published.

Also included in the Queen’s speech are new measures to ensure that “minimum service levels” are maintained during rail strikes.

It is designed to alleviate the suffering of commuters during widespread industrial actions, especially in the south of England.

The National Infrastructure Strategy will be published alongside the first Budget in the New Year and will set out government plans to invest £100 billion to transform the UK’s infrastructure.

Mr Johnson is also promising to invest heavily in broadband across the UK. He also signalled that a bridge could be built between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

“Watch this space,” he said.



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