The government is gearing up for a packed King’s Speech, this Wednesday (17th), with plans for at least 30 bills covering various priorities from Labour’s manifesto.

Note, there is no announcement of the contents of the King’s Speech, as Protocol dictates it is the King who announces what ‘his’ Government will do, so we won’t know until Wednesday night, and even then it will probably be vague.

Currently, there is no mention of the Section 21, but we would be surprised if it is not mentioned.  Note that Government would have to introduce new legislation to ban the S21 – with their majority, and that the Tories also said they would ban it, it would be technically possible to get such legislation through quicky.

Here’s an outline of some of the major legislative proposals expected to be announced:

Housebuilding and Devolution

• Housebuilding Legislation: To address the housing crisis, there will be significant bills aimed at boosting housebuilding.
• “Take Back Control” Bill: This bill will devolve powers over energy, transport, skills, and planning to mayors and councils, including the reinstatement of canceled bus routes and setting affordable fares.

Green Energy and Nationalisation

• Energy Independence Bill: Introduction of GB Energy, a new publicly owned clean energy company.
• Nationalisation of Railways: Legislation to nationalise the railways is also expected.

Crime and Border Security

• Border Security Bill: This bill will give authorities powers to treat people smugglers like terrorists.
• Crime Bill: Focuses on cracking down on antisocial behaviour and county lines drug trafficking.

Democracy and Voter Registration

• Democracy Bill: Introduces automatic voter registration and possibly lowers the voting age to 16.
• Office for Budget Responsibility Empowerment: Ensures independent forecasts of major fiscal events to avoid economic mismanagement.

Technology and AI Regulation

• AI Regulation Bill: Strengthens regulation on AI, including a ban on creating sexually explicit deepfake images.

Social and Racial Equality

• Race Equality Bill: Enshrines equal pay rights for ethnic minority staff.

Resurrected Legislation from the Previous Government

• Martyn’s Law: Requires venues to prepare for terror attacks.
• Hillsborough Law: Mandates public servants to tell the truth during public inquiries and criminal investigations.
• Anti-Smoking Bill: Phases out smoking for the next generation.
• Men’s Elite Football Regulator: Creates an independent regulator for men’s elite football.

Population-Based Boundary Review

• Boundary Review Discussions: There are internal discussions about redrawing constituencies based on population sizes, including children and immigrants, rather than registered voters, to balance representation.

Upcoming Parliamentary Schedule

• Debates and Introduction of Bills: The House of Lords will start debating the speech on July 18, focusing initially on energy, the environment, and housebuilding.
• Summer Recess: The Commons will break for a four-week summer recess at the end of July and return at the start of September, shortened by a week to allow more time for government actions.

Labour’s ambitious legislative agenda aims to address key areas such as housing, energy, crime, democracy, and social equality, reflecting their manifesto commitments and responding to pressing national issues