After his surprise election victory, British Prime Minister David Cameron is laying out plans for government free of coalition compromises.
Cameron says Wednesday’s Queen’s Speech will deliver a “One Nation” platform to unite the country, but opponents say the Conservatives’ hard-line policies could weaken the United Kingdom and take it out of the European Union.
The speech will outline upcoming legislation, including a bill to hold a referendum by 2017 on whether to leave the European Union. An in-out EU vote was one of Cameron’s key election promises.
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The Queen’s Speech is the center piece of the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament and follows the May 7 election that gave Britain its first all-Conservative government since 1997.
The speech is written by the government, but delivered from a gilded throne by Queen Elizabeth II to a crowd of lawmakers, ermine-robed peers and ceremonial officials in antiquated garb.
After the last election in 2010, Cameron’s Conservatives governed in coalition with the Liberal Democrats. With his majority in the House of Commons, Cameron can now push through policies blocked by the centrist Lib Dems, including tougher immigration and counter-terrorism measures.
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But an election promise to replace the Human Rights Act which has a European court as its top arbiter with a British bill of rights has met with strong opposition. The BBC reported it would not be mentioned in the Queen’s Speech, likely deferring the plan until at least next year.
Cameron also wants to give English lawmakers more say on measures that affect only England, while handing stronger self-rule powers to Scotland and Wales.
Cameron said the speech would be a plan “for working people from a One Nation government that will bring our country together.” Economic measures will include income-tax cuts for the lowest-paid earners.
The government also plans to continue cutting welfare benefits and public spending in a bid to curb the country’s deficit. Anti-austerity campaigners plan to gather near Cameron’s 10 Downing St. office Wednesday to protest.