It was the Queen’s Speech today in which she outlined what her government would be doing in this parliament.
Tony Blair has pledged to create a “culture of respect” as he put moves to tackle crime and disorder at the heart of his third term agenda.
Public service reform also figured strongly in the Queen’s Speech, setting out the government’s new programme.
A total of 44 bills and six draft bills are in the 2005 Queen’s Speech – ensuring a packed legislative schedule in the parliamentary session that follows the general election.
The 44 bills for Parliament to debate by November 2006 included ID cards and laws against religious hatred.
The Conservatives say Labour has copied much of their agenda. The Lib Dems say Mr Blair has not listened to voters.
BBC News: Queen’s Speech at-a-glance or in full.
As outlined in the speech the government has not yet given up on it’s planned National ID card scheme.
Controversial plans to introduce a compulsory identity card scheme have been unveiled in the Queen’s Speech.
The cards, which had to be dropped ahead of the election, will be linked to a National Identity Register holding information on all UK residents.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said there had been “technical” changes to the new bill to take account of previous objections to the plans.
The Lib Dems say the plans could be defeated with Tory and Labour support.
I really wonder why they insist on pursuing this ill-conceived plan that will be both costly and inefficient, and will certainly not provide increased national security.
Further reading:
• My analysis of the scheme.
• The text of the Identity Cards Bill
• NO2ID NewsBlog
