Bills face squeeze as Johnson seeks reboot

14 Apr 2022

DRD Partnership has published an exclusive briefing note on the key Bills expected to be in the Queen’s Speech and offering political analysis on each of the main department’s proposed legislative plans. Contact us for more information on what you can expect to be announced on May 10th by emailing us at publicaffairs@drdpartnership.com

Today, DRD Partnership is publishing an exclusive briefing note on the key Bills expected to be in the Queen’s Speech and offering political analysis on each of the main department’s proposed legislative plans. The Bills expected to be announced on May 10th will form the most important programmes of legislation to be launched since the last General Election.

The Queen’s Speech is often oversubscribed with bids from different departments hoping to get their key legislative goals included. However, May 10th will be tougher than ever to get Bills into the Speech for the following reasons:

  • A high-intensity Parliamentary ping-pong session between the Commons and the Lords has led to a greater need for the Government to carry over Bills into a new session.
  • Departmental plans are overloaded with legislative pledges
    • Every department has a programme that has amassed significant numbers of unfulfilled commitments to pass new legislation.
  • Many 2019 Conservative manifesto commitments have still not been fulfilled and there is great pressure on Ministers to move on these commitments in time for the 2023 General Election – this Queen’s Speech is the last chance for that.
  • Emergency legislation to do with the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis is also claiming Parliamentary time.
  • Most significantly, the Prime Minister is hoping to relaunch his administration in the wake of his recent political travails, not least partygate.
    • As a result, there will be a particular focus on Bills that will create positive headlines, or deliver to so-called ‘Red Wall’ seats, such as those proposed under Michael Gove’s “Levelling Up” programme.

Contact us for our exclusive briefing note on what you can expect to be announced on May 10th by emailing us at publicaffairs@drdpartnership.com

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