The Queen’s Speech: What to expect

With talk of a hung Parliament and the constitutional wranglings that would follow a distant memory, next week’s Queen’s Speech will be a straight forward affair.

At the State Opening of Parliament the Monarch will set out the Conservative Party’s agenda for their second term in government, now unencumbered by the restrictions of coalition.

The much discussed referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU will be high on the list, although the date remains flexible with David Cameron merely pledging that it will go ahead before the end of 2017.

Running alongside this will be a proposition for a British Bill of Rights that would replace the Human Rights Act, and may throw up issues around legal sovereignty that will fuel the EU debate. The Prime Minister has also been keen to raise the profile of a new Counter-Terrorism Bill which would bring forward powers to tackle radicalisation.

Both of these measures would have encountered fatal Liberal Democrat opposition in the previous Parliament. However the change in composition of the House does not ensure a smooth passage for either, as civil liberties advocates on the Conservative benches prepare to dig their heels in.

Similarly divisive will be the reintroduction of the Communications Bill, which became known as the Snooper’s Charter. It was previously the victim of internal coalition conflict, with Nick Clegg pulling his party’s support. But with the former Deputy Prime Minister out of the picture, the Home Secretary Theresa May has indicated that it will make a comeback.       

With Iain Duncan Smith still in post at the Department for Work and Pensions, his flagship Universal Credit scheme will continue to roll out. The looming cuts to welfare spending of £12bn have yet to be fully fleshed out, but a reduction in the benefits cap to £23,000 and the withdrawal of housing benefit from those under 21 may be two measures included in Her Majesty’s address.

With the 56 SNP members already making their presence known in Parliament, further devolution north of the border will be mentioned alongside George Osborne’s pet project - the ‘northern powerhouse’ - and the ever-present West Lothian question. Wales will also get a namecheck. 

Last ditch attempts to win over undecided voters with hastily composed populist policies must now be realised, with the extension of the controversial Right to Buy scheme among the most high-profile. More free childcare and legislation to make legally binding the Government’s pledge not to increase taxes fall into the same category.  

In a nod to the Conservative backbenches and the party’s grassroots more widely, there may be a mention of the possible repeal of the Hunting Act, which has remained unpopular in rural constituencies since its introduction in 2004. This is tipped to be within the first year of the Parliament and will be a free vote.    

Also expect much trumpeting of the long term economic plan, with the obligatory caveat that the job is not yet done.

Dods Monitoring has compiled a full briefing on speculation and insight into to the Bills which may be announced.  Receive your copy of the briefing by registering here.