Key principles from King’s Speech as Labour unveils promises

A speech by King Charles III opened the session of Parliament of the new Labour Party government on Wednesday 17 July.

Sir Keir Starmer’s pledges, which the party says will “hold Britain back”, were announced by the monarch in the House of Lords.

The speech is written by the government and read by the monarch in a neutral tone, allowing the winning party to set its priorities for the next term of parliament.

Wednesday was the first day of a Labour government’s throne speech in 14 years.