The first thing the Queen says is that the government’s priority is to leave the EU on 31st January and we must take the opportunities. She started her last speech exactly the same way, except then it was the 31st October.
‘A modern, fair, points-based immigration system’. This is government by slogan. It means nothing. And it is the profoundest indignity to make her say it and make us hear it.
‘Responsible fiscal strategy’ alert, for anyone playing an early drinking game. (I’m with you in spirit.)
Never mind the government has just signalled its intention to drive the economy into the wall in twelve months’ time, with all the misery that entails. We’re going to ensure the spending is fully responsible.
Fixed Term Parliaments Act to be repealed. I don’t know why so many people will celebrate that. Why is it a good idea to give Boris Johnson, a man without scruples, checks or balances, even more power?
Queen announces plan to review Britain’s place in the world. That sound you hear is the hollow laugh echoing around the Foreign Office.
Lovely. An Empire 2.0 speech from a monarch old enough to remember how badly Empire 1.0 turned out.
