Scandal-plagued UK’s Johnson vows to get ‘country back on track’ in Queen’s Speech

The government’s legislative agenda was read out for the first time in 59 years by Prince Charles rather than Queen Elizabeth due to her mobility problems

The prime minister, who was fined for hosting lockdown-breaking parties, pledged to strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Prince Charles reads the Queen’s Speech during the state opening of parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Published: 8:50pm, 10 May 2022

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to his election pledges to tackle regional inequalities and maximise post-Brexit freedoms on Tuesday, hoping to win back voters in southern England who abandoned his party at local polls last week.

In the traditional Queen’s Speech, read for the first time in 59 years by Prince Charles rather than Queen Elizabeth due to her mobility problems, Johnson said his Conservative government would “deliver on the promises we made” in the 2019 election.

But there was little to comfort the millions of people struggling with higher fuel and food costs, with the government reiterating that it would “repair the public finances” rather than channel money to cushion the blow.

“Her Majesty’s government’s priority is to grow and strengthen the economy and help ease the cost of living for families. Her Majesty’s government will level up opportunity in all parts of the country and support more people into work,” Charles said, reading a text written by the government before assembled lawmakers and peers.

“Her Majesty’s government will drive economic growth to improve living standards and fund sustainable investment in public services. This will be underpinned by a responsible approach to the public finances, reducing debt while reforming and cutting taxes.”

Charles, Queen Elizabeth’s heir, was drafted in after Buckingham Palace said on Monday that the 96-year-old monarch was experiencing “episodic mobility problems” and had reluctantly decided she could not attend.