Debating the Queens Speech

Written by Colin Breed on Mon 30th Nov 2009

Parliament debates the Queens Speech for a week taking in different subjects each day with voting held back until Thursday. In the end there were fifteen pieces of legislation including two draft bills and three bills carried over from the last session. Much has been written about what was not in the Gracious Speech, mainly MPs expenses and the draft Immigration Bill, which was published on the 12th November but not given a mention.

Some of the more eye-catching measures include a Financial Services Bill to continue reform of financial regulation, which is probably something I will take through the Commons for my Party. The Personal Care at Home Bill hopes to help around 400,000 people with care needs, but only those with the highest needs. This does not in any way really tackle the many who will still have to sell their homes to pay for their care.

The Government will once again introduce another Bill to tackle anti-social behaviour, this time to make parents "take responsibility" for their child's anti-social behaviour. Only time will tell if this will be properly enforced or make much difference, as clearly if legislation was the answer the enormous number of Bills introduced over the years would have solved the problems.

Perhaps rather topically, a new Flood and Water Management Bill aims to provide better, more sustainable management of flood risks for people, homes and businesses. It aims to help safeguard community groups from unaffordable rises in surface water drainage charges and protect water supplies to consumers.

In addition, there are Bills to combat bribery, prohibit cluster bombs and introduce a wholly or substantially elected House of Lords. The three Bills carried forward from the previous session are the Equality Bill, the Child Poverty Bill and the Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill.

We shall have to see which ones are given priority in Parliament, and therefore enough time to be properly debated. For certain, not all of these Bills will make it on to the Statute Book before the next General Election.