Sunak Sets Out Ambition For Nation In King's Speech

RISHI SUNAK insisted he has “turned the corner” to put the country on a better path as he used the King’s Speech to set out a pre-election stall containing challenges for Sir Keir Starmer.

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In his first State Opening of Parliament as monarch, Charles had to detail legislation mandating annual oil and gas licensing for the North Sea – which the Conservatives hope will draw a political dividing line with the Labour leader.

The King, a long-term champion of environmental causes, said the new fossil fuel fields will support the transition to net zero by 2050 “without adding undue burdens on households”.

Charles paid tribute to the late Queen’s “legacy of service and devotion” and said ministers will focus on “difficult but necessary long-term decisions”, as he read out the Government’s legislative priorities in the first King’s Speech in seven decades.

With a general election expected next year, the Prime Minister put a series of criminal justice proposals at the centre of the first such speech he has overseen from No 10. But there was little in the way of surprises despite Mr Sunak trying to portray himself as a change candidate after 13 years of Tory rule and the chaos under Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.