The King’s Speech is the term used relating to the annual opening of parliament, it has a number of key roles , but setting out the government’s agenda is one of its most important.
What are the different roles ?
- State Opening of Parliament: The King’s Speech, or Queen’s Speech, marks the formal opening of a new parliamentary session in the UK. It is delivered by the reigning monarch in the House of Lords, typically in the House of Commons chamber, and outlines the government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming parliamentary session.
- Constitutional Tradition: The King’s speech is an important constitutional tradition in the UK. While the monarch delivers the speech, it is written by the government of the day, and it reflects the policies and legislative priorities of the ruling political party.
- Content: The speech outlines the government’s proposed bills and policies for the forthcoming parliamentary session. It covers a wide range of issues, including domestic and foreign policy, economic plans, national security, and other key matters of governance. It is considered the formal agenda for the parliamentary session.
- Debate and Approval: Following the King’s or Queen’s Speech, both the House of Commons and the House of Lords engage in debates on the content. This allows Members of Parliament (MPs) and Lords to scrutinize the government’s agenda and express their views. The speech and the legislative agenda must be approved by a vote in the House of Commons to become official.
- Ceremonial Occasion: The State Opening of Parliament, during which the King’s or Queen’s Speech is delivered, is a grand and ceremonial occasion. It includes various traditions and rituals, such as the Sovereign’s Procession, the Royal Regalia, and the presence of both Houses of Parliament.
- Symbolic Role: While the monarch’s role in delivering the King’s or Queen’s Speech is largely ceremonial, it symbolizes the constitutional relationship between the Monarch and Parliament. In practice, the content and agenda are determined by the elected government, and the monarch’s role is to convey the government’s message.
What was in the 2023 King’s Speech
King’s Speech: a guide to the UK’s new legislative programme (ft.com)
The King’s Speech and the documents containing the legislative agenda are a key resource for politics students as it provides a wealth of new and relevant information around policy that can be used in essays. It allows students to demonstrate that they have a current and in depth political awareness of the policy developments in the UK which can be incredibly helpful in essay writing and British politics modules.
The_King_s_Speech_background_briefing_notes.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)