On Wednesday I was in the Lords for an historic ceremony. The PM decided he wanted to end the long first session of this Parliament and start again on May 14 th with a State Opening by the King of a new session. This ancient practice allows the PM a breathing space, the chance to relaunch the government with a new legislative programme with the theatre of royal ceremony to back the government.
The event takes us back to the medieval hierarchy of King, barons, knights, burgesses. The Lord Privy Seal, the senior Cabinet Minister who is Leader of the Lords, presided alongside the Lords Speaker. She told Black Rod to summons the Commons to hear the prorogation by standing at the bar of the Lords. Once their representatives led by the Speaker were assembled the Clerks read out recent Bills that have passed both Houses and announced royal consent. Then the Leader read a speech on behalf of the King summarising the government’s view of its legislative successes and main policies. At the end the Commons departed and the Lords session ended.
All was done in the name of the King, though all was of course decided by the PM and cabinet. What was disappointing was the content of the speech the Leader had to read. Whilst it obeyed the rule of not making any party political points, it wallowed in complacency , often departing from reality.
It stressed the government’s commitment to growth, skipping over the reality of little growth achieved. There was no understanding of how anti growth many if its policies have been. It stressed nationalisation of rail, steel and parts of energy, without seeing how these changes will mean big losses, big taxpayer bills and disappointing results. It talked about the UK helping solve world crises without seeing the lack of engagement with either Iran or Russia busy prolonging their wars.
I will talk about the next Kings speech nearer its delivery. The old session dies with Labour at a historic low in the polls for a governing party, with growth stuttering, worklessness and benefits soaring, illegal migrants still coming and the cost of living squeeze still bad.
May 1, 2026
Well it seems we are going to have to make a fresh start.
As Senator John Kennedy has said, we are going to have to come up with new ‘Conspiracy Theories’ because all the old one have been proven to be true.
The Climate Change Scam, the Covid Scam and the Migration of the 3rd Wold Scam are all busted flushes.
So let me suggest two new conspiracy theories:
1. In fact 99% of the political class in the U.K. actually have no idea what to do, they cannot connect their actions with actual consequences, much less forsee consequences caused by proposed action.
2. The WEF-types are creating a ‘food shortage’ crisis. This will mean that the population of Europe will be in survival mode, either we will either starve to be rid of the foreign eaters.
Note that point 2 proves point 1 because the political class will achieve the reverse of their objective.
May 1, 2026
The malaise and disconnect between governments and people is felt across most of Europe. The UK is no exception. Each country has its own way in which this rot develops and manifests itself, but essentially it’s all part of the same disease.
We have an arrogant, entitled elite class that no longer thinks it should exercise restraint and rule by social contract. It sees a heatless, corporatist, authoritarian future as the most efficient way to grow its power and wealth.
Our democracy is in many inccreasing ways an illusion. The ancient pomp of Parliament is part of the act. We don’t seem to have any politicians that want to alter the direction of travel. Only those who comply get to be elected.
May 1, 2026
Good morning.
It also affords him time, and scrutiny from Parliament. Especially when a certain trial that no one seems to want to cover is going on.