'Meaningless' plan from a 'directionless' government: Unionists react to King's Speech amid Starmer exit speculation
DUP MPs have dismissed the King’s Speech, with Sammy Wilson branding it likely “meaningless” because the Prime Minister will soon be replaced.
The speech, setting out the laws which the government will try to pass in the current session of Parliament, comes as Keir Starmer is thought to be on the way out after a rump of his MPs and ministers rebelled against him.
Sir Keir’s spokesman said that the Prime Minister still has “full confidence” in health secretary Wes Streeting, amid speculation that Mr Streeting is planning to oust him imminently.
The King’s said that Sir Keir’s government will bring forward bills to reform the police, “increase confidence in the security of the immigration and asylum systems,” an "Armed Forces Bill that improves the service justice system and establishes the Armed Forces covenant in statute”, and a “draft bill to ban abusive conversion practices”, among others.
At time of writing, the following ministers have quit from under Sir Keir: Miatta Fahnbulleh (communities), Alex Davies-Jones (victims), Jeff Phillips (safeguarding), and Zubir Ahmed (health innovation).
It follows heavy defeats in English council and Welsh parliamentary elections, largely at the hands of Reform.
Mr Wilson, DUP MP for East Antrim, told the News Letter that the plans outlined in the King’s Speech are “probably very meaningless” because “I don't think anybody but the most optimistic could believe his days aren’t numbered”.
"The priorities in this speech could mean nothing,” he said.
"I don't think it'll be two or three weeks time, mind you – I think it will be longer than that.
"But in the short to medium term, there will be a new leader, and they will have to have a new programme…
"The new leader is going to have to stamp his or her approval and mark on the programme for government, which would mean that a lot of these things will take less importance, and other ones will probably be put in.”
Replacing Sir Keir hasn’t happened yet because the contenders are not “lined up,” he said.
He also added that among the things the King’s Speech did not address was curbing the welfare bill.
His party leader Gavin Robinson, MP for East Belfast, said the speech showed that “after everything working people have endured,” Sir Keir’s government “still refuses to change course”.
"Families are being crushed by a tax burden at its highest in decades, by crippling fuel and energy bills, and by a regulatory environment that chokes growth before it starts," he said.
"Last week’s elections sent Labour a clear and unmistakable message.
"They have chosen to ignore it.
"That is not just politically tin-eared, it is a further betrayal of the people who look to government for help in times like these."
He also said: “What makes all of this worse is the condition of the government delivering it.
"Divided, directionless, and fronted by a Prime Minister whose authority drains further away as each hour passes by.
"This is a government with no answers, but is simply drifting along whilst people continue to suffer.”
TUV MP for North Antrim Jim Allister said: “It was somewhat surreal to hear the King read out the government’s plans when the government itself is teetering on the brink.”
One of the features of the King’s Speech had been “a bill to strengthen ties with the European Union”.
“Last week the government took a hammering, particularly in Pro-Brexit areas, and yet the PM thinks the answer is by stealth to enslave the UK again in the EU,” said Mr Allister.
"What a witless strategy!
“We in NI know the democratic humiliation of being ruled by laws we don’t make and can’t change and now the PM wants to extend that to the whole UK!
“Frankly, there wasn’t much new in the King’s Speech and certainly nothing to restore confidence in this failed government.”
Robin Swann said while parts of the government’s speech were “broadly welcome”, with almost 40 bills announced “one has to ask whether this is a government with the political authority and stability required to drive through such an agenda”.
He added: “The Prime Minister may well find himself governing on borrowed time.”
In recent days, at least 85 Labour MPs have demanded Sir Keir stands down.
Meanwhile more than 100 other Labour MPs have signed a public statement backing Sir Keir and warning that “this is no time for a leadership contest”.