Latest updates: government unveils legislative programme aimed at the new Tory electoral strongholds in northern England and the Midlands
- Queen’s speech unveils plans on free speech, policing and voter ID
- Coronavirus – latest updates
- See all our coronavirus coverage
12.13pm BST
The higher education (freedom of speech) bill promised in the Queen’s speech will allow people to seek compensation in the courts if they “suffer loss as a result of the breach of freedom of speech duties” imposed on universities, according to the government’s briefing. As the Mirror’s Dan Bloom argues, this suggests far right speakers could be compensated if they get “cancelled”.
Far-right get compensation for being ‘cancelled’ in culture war Queen’s Speechhttps://t.co/u0BUpGyMU5
12.08pm BST
The Liberal Democrats have issued this verdict on the Queen’s speech from Sir Ed Davey, the party leader. He said:
We must rebuild as a fairer, greener and more caring country in the aftermath of Covid. So it is crushingly disappointing that the government’s plans will fail on every account – still failing small businesses and the self-employed, still not rising properly to the climate challenge and still ignoring millions of people caring for loved ones at home.
Their planning reforms will rip powers away from local people and communities in favour of wealthy property developers, threatening our environment and treasured green spaces. Their cruel asylum plans will stop people fleeing violence and persecution, from seeking sanctuary in the UK. And long delayed reforms to social care have been pushed back into the long grass once again, despite the pressures we have seen on care homes and carers this last year.
Continue reading… Source: The Guardian: Queen’s speech: government sets out plans for next term of parliament – politics live ———