May 13 (BBC/GNA) – King Charles has travelled to Parliament to unveil the government’s agenda for the year ahead, as Sir Keir Starmer fights for his future in Downing Street.
Labour’s ongoing divisions mean the day of pomp and ceremony for the State Opening of Parliament takes place in unusual circumstances.
The King’s Speech is expected to include more than 35 bills and draft bills, including on immigration, the NHS and police reforms, along with a route to potentially nationalising British Steel.
But whether or not Sir Keir is in position to deliver the planned laws remains to be seen, amid splits amongst his cabinet and backbench MPs following heavy losses in last week’s elections.
On Tuesday, four ministers resigned, including health minister Zubir Ahmed, who called on the prime minister to quit.
Speaking to the BBC’s Today programme, Ahmed said there had been a “spontaneous outpouring of frustration” from Labour MPs and the prime minister’s authority had “irretrievably ebbed away”.
He said it was “very telling” that the whole cabinet had not been able to express “full throated” support for the prime minister.
Cabinet minister and ally of the PM Nick Thomas-Symonds acknowledged there was “frustration with the pace of change” but argued that the government’s response should be to “redouble our efforts” to deliver change rather than “turning in on ourselves”.
He added that the prime minister was “one of the most resilient people I have ever met” and was “determined to deliver on his mandate”.
Sir Keir said people expected the government to “get on with the job of changing our country for the better”.
He added: “Cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world.
“Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past.”
Other proposals expected to be in the speech include measures linked to the government’s desire for closer ties with the EU, improved energy security, and leasehold reforms in England and Wales.
The BBC has learnt Sir Keir has not included a second attempt to reform welfare.
The first attempt, which sought to restrict eligibility for some health-related benefits, resulted in a mass revolt of Labour MPs and a climbdown for the government in June 2025.
The Conservative Party has released an “Alternative King’s Speech” containing proposed laws that the Opposition would like to see brought forward.
It includes plans on immigration, welfare reform, oil and gas extraction from the North Sea, and support for High Streets.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described it as a “serious and fully funded legislative programme for a stronger economy and a stronger country”.
One of the bills would aim to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights and repeal the Human Rights Act.
The Conservatives argue this is part of efforts to “secure our borders, restore fairness in the benefits system and protect our service men and women from lawfare”.
The state opening began on Wednesday when the royal bodyguards, known as the Yeoman of the Guard, conducted a ceremonial search of the cellars of the Palace of Westminster for explosives.
This commemorates the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in which a group of English Catholics failed to blow up Parliament and kill the Protestant king.
An MP was also ceremonially taken “hostage” in Buckingham Palace while the King attends Parliament. This is designed to ensure the monarch’s safe return.
A government whip known as the vice-chamberlain of the household traditionally performs this task and Labour MP Sir Nic Dakin, who is currently in the position, posted on X that he was “off to the palace to be the hostage”.
The royal procession travelled from Buckingham Palace to the Sovereign’s Entrance at Parliament, with a military escort.
In 2024, the Ministry of Defence said more than 1,100 military personnel and almost 200 horses had taken part.
The King delivers the speech in the House of Lords and part of the event sees Black Rod – a senior officer in the Lords – sent to the House of Commons to summon the MPs to visit the second chamber.
The door to the Commons chamber is shut in Black Rod’s face and he strikes it three times before it is opened, a tradition said to symbolise the independence of the Commons from the monarch.
MPs will hold several days of debate on the King’s Speech from 14:30 on Wednesday.
A long-serving MP and a relative newcomer to the Commons usually make speeches, with Conservative Party leader Badenoch third up before Sir Keir addresses the chamber.
It will be the first opportunity for MPs to attempt to question the PM in the Commons since last week’s elections.
GNA/Credit: BBC