Queen’s Speech: first thoughts
Here are my first thoughts on the 2013 Queen’s Speech:
Phew. No Snooper's Charter in Queen's Speech but sensible tweaking re IPv6 addresses etc.
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Good balance in the anti-crime measures in #QueensSpeech – heavy on rehabilitation and light on tokenistic crackdowns
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Capping social care costs and single tier pension v important for fairer society – and long-time Lib Dem policies #QueensSpeech
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Limited electoral reform in #QueensSpeech – draft bill to make Welsh Assembly 5 yr terms and let people stand for both list + constituencies
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
"My Government will work to prevent sexual violence in conflict worldwide" – good #QueensSpeech
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Sensible expansion of General Anti-Abuse Rule on taxes to cover firms + National Insurance #QueensSpeech
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Looks like the anti-immigration proposals in #QueensSpeech will fuel plenty of Tory rhetoric but the details not the horrors some feared
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Great to see that the powers of the IPCC will be extending – another Lib Dem policy being put into action #QueensSpeech
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
Final thought… a #QueensSpeech can't legislate for growth, but NI cuts to encourage employment v welcome
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) May 8, 2013
As to how it compares to my preview? Lighter on political reform than Liberal Democrats would have wanted, but also less Tory red meat in there too. A decent score draw between the coalition partners – and the big issue remains, as ever, economic growth, something you can’t just pass a bill to order into existence.
IPv6? Has the Queen met Vint Cerf?
I suppose we should think ourselves lucky to have a monarch with such a good grasp of IPv6.