Oil fields, Iowa…Charles III makes his first speech from the throne in the British Parliament

A speech that will go down in history. For the first time as king, Charles III delivered a speech from the throne to the British Parliament on Tuesday, as Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government sought to lay out a “long-term” vision ahead of the election.

“Eager” to perpetuate the legacy of his “beloved mother” Elizabeth II, Charles took part in this ritual of British political life that officially opens the session of Parliament. He had already done so as heir apparent in May 2022, having given a previous speech from the throne on behalf of his mother, whose health had been deteriorating.

Arriving in a carriage at the Palace of Westminster, the sovereign, who celebrates his 75th birthday in November, was greeted this time by dozens of demonstrators chanting “not my king” and “what a waste,” unimaginable under Elizabeth II.

Speech prepared by Rishi Sunak

Wearing the ceremonial imperial crown and seated on the golden throne of the House of Lords next to Queen Camilla, the king spoke at the end of the ceremony in a centuries-old tradition that begins with a search of Westminster cellars for explosives and the symbolic taking of an MP hostage at Buckingham Palace to ensure “the safe return of king” to his residence.

Following the outbreak of Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, which has contributed to the severe cost of living crisis afflicting Britain, “my government’s priority is to take the difficult but necessary long-term decisions to turn this country around,” the monarch stressed in his statement. This speech was prepared by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The maiden speech may be the last from Rishi Sunak, who has tried to bring some stability after the scandals of the Boris Johnson era and Liz Truss’ eventful 49 days in Downing Street but is struggling to inject fresh impetus while legislative elections are scheduled. next year. The Conservatives, in power for almost 14 years, are lagging far behind the Labor opposition led by rival Keir Starmer in the polls.

The 10-minute speech, a key moment in political life but whose policy content usually remains vague and general, therefore represented one of Rishi Sunak’s last chances to provide insight into the course to be taken to reverse the trend and distance himself. from Plowing. In the King’s voice, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer and 43-year-old investment banker repeated his desire to fight inflation, lower bills for British citizens, train more doctors and nurses and gradually ban the sale of cigarettes in Britain.

Controversial oil projects

Painting a portrait of a prime minister looking to the future, Rishi Sunak, who arrived in Downing Street just over a year ago, also wants to create a “new legal framework” to support the development of driverless vehicles and encourage innovation in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI). .

Rishi Sunak has made promises to the right wing of the Conservative Party, proposing tougher sanctions against murderers and sex offenders and stronger powers for the police and courts to tackle “cybercrime or child exploitation”.

As reported on Monday, the bill “will support licensing of new oil and gas discoveries to help the country achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, without creating undue burdens on households,” the document said. his long-standing commitment to protecting the environment.

The decision, made in the name of energy security, has been sharply criticized by environmental activists, who have been mobilizing against new government hydrocarbon projects since early November under the call of Just Stop Oil.

“Sunak’s problem is that he is running out of time,” Richard Carr, associate professor of public policy at Anglia Ruskin University, told AFP. “Voters are tired and angry at Conservative governments.”