Vanilla Royale
A radical Trojan Horse or continuity Tory? My analysis of what was in the King's Speech for Scotland
Denis Donoghue
7/26/20244 min read
The Kings Speech delivered by HM on behalf of Sir Keir Starmer’s Government was the first one drafted by a Labour administration since Gordon Brown’s in 2010. The much-heralded agenda of ‘change’ was about to be implemented backed up by a massive Labour majority in Parliament. Many thought Starmer’s centrist agenda was merely a Trojan Horse which would subsequently deliver a more radical left of centre agenda similar to the social-democratic reforms proposed by Jeremy Corbyn. The more cynical observers kept their expectations low, having witnessed Sir Keir already reverse or water down many of his more progressive pledges; while going strong on a platform of no tax increases and no increased borrowing.
In this blog I’ll look at which of the proposed ‘changes’ will affect Scotland and in what ways.
The first aspect of the speech was formally establishing the fiscal rules overseen by the Office of Budget Responsibility. Sensible enough, but closer to the category of deckchair-moving than change. Likewise, with the setting up of an ‘Industrial Strategy Council’ – why do something, when you can set up a body to discuss it for a couple of years?
The speech then pledges to ‘get Britain Building again’. By which they mean England. The proposed planning ‘reform’ relates to England, and involve redesignating parts of the Green Belt to promote housebuilding. However, governments going back to the Thatcher era have sought to stimulate economic growth through cutting planning regulations; and it is never as straightforward as they think. Meanwhile, Scotland has benefited from the highest levels of per capita affordable housing construction in the UK; without having to make any substantive changes to planning laws. The key is providing sufficient investment to Housing Associations and local communities and supporting public bodies to make land available.
Legislation to improve workers’ rights is welcome; including the banning of exploitative practices. However, devolution of further economic development powers is extended only to English mayors and combined authorities.
The formation of Great British Railways to take England and Wales’ railways under public control mirrors what was done under Scotland’s SNP administration in April 2022.
Great British Energy is one of the key aspects of Labour’s plans to support growth and lower consumer bills. It is described as a publicly-owned clean power company, but we know very little about its operating model. We know that it will aim to catalyse private sector investment but don’t know what the public to private investment ratio will be. We also don’t know if nuclear power will be classed as ‘clean‘ and included in the portfolio. Most sensible commentators realise that nuclear power is far from clean. It is to be headquartered in Scotland, but since it won’t be selling energy to consumers I’m not at all clear how it will reduce consumers’ energy bills.
A bill to strengthen the powers of Ofwat; the energy regulator for England and Wales; will aim to address the scandalous river and sea pollution we’ve seen across England. However, there is nothing about sanctioning private water companies or curbing the excessive profits of these polluters.
There will also be a bill to strengthen community policing (presumably in England as policing is devolved in Scotland) and one to form a new Border Security Command (more deckchair-moving I suspect). There are unspecified plans to halve violence against women and girls.
Changes to education and skills will mostly affect England only; with greater flexibility of the Apprenticeship Levy being introduced (like it is currently in Scotland). Removal of VAT exemption for private schools will also impact Scotland – although to much lesser extent, as this sector is far smaller here.
Rental reforms will apply in England and Wales only; Scotland has had greater protection of tenants rights for some time introduced by the SNP/Green administration.
A new independent football regulator will similarly apply only to England.
Reform of the House of Lords is limited to removing the rights of hereditary peers to vote, while there is no inclusion of any electoral reform such as votes at 16 or proportional representation.
There is also a lot of rhetoric about strengthening defence, nuclear deterrent and closer cooperation with European partners. But it’s also worth highlighting what’s not included:
No reversal of the two-child cap on Universal Benefit
No abolition of the House of Lords
No plans for further devolution to Scotland or powers to hold an indyref
No concrete electoral reform plans
No nationalisation of private water companies
No major infrastructure investment
No plans to join the European Free Trade Area or address the harms of Brexit
In conclusion, hardly the radical agenda for change in Scotland that was promised us during the election campaign!