Member

“but respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech does not include a commitment to grant new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea which would boost energy security, and instead restricts the UK to existing drilling operations; believe that it fails to defend the right to trial by jury, which is a cornerstone of justice with origins stretching back to the Magna Carta; further regret that it includes proposals for digital identification; also regret that there are no protections for brave British veterans who served for Queen and country in Northern Ireland; further believe it fails to protect small businesses from rising energy costs and business rates, and fails to attract new investment in high streets; regret that it allows for greater alignment with the EU which betrays the democratic result of the referendum in 2016 and betrays the fishing industry and the agricultural sector; and note that it does not explicitly include SEND provisions to preserve access to an appropriate range of placements to support families and schools whilst ensuring parental oversight.”—(Richard Tice.)