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David Cameron Sets Course for Britain Amid Pageantry of Queen’s Speech David Cameron Sets Course for Britain Amid Pageantry of Queen’s Speech
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — After winning an unexpected parliamentary majority earlier this month, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain on Wednesday began work on delivering election promises that few, including Mr. Cameron, expected to be implemented in full. LONDON — After winning an unexpected parliamentary majority this month, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain on Wednesday began work on delivering election promises that few, including Mr. Cameron, expected to be implemented in full.
Although the text outlining the government’s legislative goals was read by Queen Elizabeth at the State Opening of Parliament, in keeping with tradition, the program belonged to Mr. Cameron: A bill for a referendum on membership in the European Union, along with measures calling for expanding home ownership, curbing immigration, increasing the powers of Scotland’s Parliament, and giving the security services greater authority to monitor and tackle potential terrorists. Although the text outlining the government’s legislative goals was read by Queen Elizabeth II at the State Opening of Parliament, in keeping with tradition, the program was Mr. Cameron’s: a bill for a referendum on membership in the European Union, along with measures to expand homeownership, curb immigration, increase the powers of Scotland’s Parliament, and give the security services greater authority to monitor and restrain potential terrorists.
During her long reign, the queen has now delivered more than 60 such speeches, accompanied by much pomp and ceremony. On Wednesday, she traveled to Parliament in a horse-drawn carriage, her arrival preceded, as custom dictates, with a search by lantern light of the cellars of Parliament to prevent a repeat of a failed plot to blow it up in 1605. During her long reign, the queen has delivered more than 60 such speeches, accompanied by much pomp and ceremony. On Wednesday, she traveled to Parliament in a horse-drawn carriage. As custom dictates, her arrival was preceded by a search by lantern light of the cellars of Parliament to prevent a repeat of a failed plot to blow it up in 1605.
The address, known as the Queen’s Speech, did reflect the different set of political obstacles that Mr. Cameron will face in his second term. Plans for a British bill of rights that would limit the reach of European human rights laws were mentioned in terms that suggest they are likely to be delayed. And there were no details about how he would implement one of his central pledges: a reduction of around 12 billion pounds, or about $18.5 billion, in welfare spending. Before the election, Mr. Cameron also promised not to increase income tax, VAT — the main sales tax — and social security payments known as national insurance, although that still gives him some leeway to raise other taxes. The address, known as the Queen’s Speech, reflected the different set of political obstacles that Mr. Cameron will face in his second term. Plans for a British bill of rights that would limit the reach of European laws on human rights were mentioned in terms that suggest they are likely to be delayed. And there were no details about how he would put in place of his central pledges: a reduction of around 12 billion pounds, or about $18.5 billion, in welfare spending. Before the election, Mr. Cameron also promised not to increase income tax, the value-added tax — the main sales tax — and social security payments known as national insurance, although that still gives him some leeway to raise other taxes.
Now that he is able to govern without the support of other parties, Mr. Cameron is in a position he almost certainly never expected, and his election promises were made under the assumption that he would have to bargain and compromise as part of a coalition government.Now that he is able to govern without the support of other parties, Mr. Cameron is in a position he almost certainly never expected, and his election promises were made under the assumption that he would have to bargain and compromise as part of a coalition government.
During his first term in power, Mr. Cameron had to negotiate with his junior coalition partner, the Liberal Democrats, about which measures would be put into law. Although that constrained his freedom, it also provided him with an excuse to soft-pedal issues that were either a lower priority or more politically complex. During his first term in power, Mr. Cameron had to negotiate with his junior coalition partner, the Liberal Democrats, about which measures would be put into law. Although that constrained him, it also provided him with an excuse to soft-pedal issues that were either a lower priority or more politically complex.
Now, Mr. Cameron will be unable to point to outside pressures when he is reluctant to back measures championed by the right wing of his Conservative Party.Now, Mr. Cameron will be unable to point to outside pressures when he is reluctant to back measures championed by the right wing of his Conservative Party.
Yet his parliamentary majority is slim, with just 12 votes, which carries other risks. As a young political adviser, Mr. Cameron worked for the government of the last Conservative Party prime minister, John Major, who was elected in 1992 with a majority of 21. That quickly melted away, leaving the prime minister with steadily dwindling authority until he was ejected from power in 1997. Yet his parliamentary majority is slim, with just 12 votes, which carries other risks. As a young political adviser, Mr. Cameron worked for the government of the last Conservative Party prime minister, John Major, who was elected in 1992 with a majority of 21 seats. That quickly melted away, leaving the prime minister with steadily dwindling authority until he was ejected from power in 1997.
With a smaller majority than the one held by Mr. Major, Mr. Cameron knows he faces the prospect of defeat on any measure that might provoke a his Conservative lawmakers to rebel. With a smaller majority than the one held by Mr. Major, Mr. Cameron knows he faces the prospect of defeat on any measure that might provoke his Conservative lawmakers to rebel.
He will also have to contend with the House of Lords, the second, unelected chamber of Parliament, where his partydoes not have a clear majority and which can amend and delay legislation. By tradition, the House of Lords does not block measures that were in the manifesto of a party that wins an election, but it can cause a lot of trouble. He will also have to contend with the House of Lords, the second, unelected chamber of Parliament, where his party does not have a clear majority and where legislation can be amended and delayed. By tradition, the House of Lords does not block measures that were in the manifesto of a party that wins an election, but it can cause a lot of trouble.
Those new constraints explain why he is likely to consult with the opposition on revising the framework of human rights law, rather than quickly forcing changes.Those new constraints explain why he is likely to consult with the opposition on revising the framework of human rights law, rather than quickly forcing changes.
As for the referendum on the European Union, Mr. Cameron has promised to renegotiate Britain’s terms of membership before holding the vote in 2016 or 2017. Surveys suggest that Britons would vote to stay, although public opinion on the issue remains fickle. As for the referendum on the European Union, Mr. Cameron has promised to renegotiate Britain’s terms of membership before holding the vote in 2016 or 2017. Opinion polls suggest that Britons would vote to stay, although public opinion on the issue remains fickle.
Mr. Cameron’s leadership will be complicated by the presence of a vocal group of 56 lawmakers from the Scottish National Party, which wants independence for Scotland, focusing attention on the challenge the government faces in trying to keep the United Kingdom together.Mr. Cameron’s leadership will be complicated by the presence of a vocal group of 56 lawmakers from the Scottish National Party, which wants independence for Scotland, focusing attention on the challenge the government faces in trying to keep the United Kingdom together.
In comments released before the speech, Mr. Cameron said that it would provide “a clear vision for what our country can be. A country of security and opportunity for everyone, at every stage of life.”In comments released before the speech, Mr. Cameron said that it would provide “a clear vision for what our country can be. A country of security and opportunity for everyone, at every stage of life.”
The acting leader of the opposition Labour Party, Harriet Harman, said that she feared that “the reality of this queen’s speech will be very different from the rhetoric.”The acting leader of the opposition Labour Party, Harriet Harman, said that she feared that “the reality of this queen’s speech will be very different from the rhetoric.”