Charles presents his first King’s Speech to Parliament

The parliamentary year has begun with Charles III’s first King’s Speech to the legislature.

In a custom dating back centuries, he rode the Diamond Jubilee State Coach through the streets of London.

He started it by praising his “darling mother” before outlining the government’s top priorities at the moment.

Investments in transport, legislation prohibiting youngsters from smoking, and harsher penalties for major offenders will be a few among them.

While Labour describe the speech as a “pretty pathetic programme of tinkering,” the Prime Minister claims it embodies his vision of “a better Britain.”

Although this is Charles’ first King’s Speech as a monarch, in May 2022 he succeeded the late Queen.

George VI was the last King to preside over the State Opening of Parliament in 1950. The Conversion Therapy Bill is one of the bills that is absent from today’s King’s Speech.

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The proposed ban would make it illegal to use prayer or other therapeutic methods to assist someone in changing their gender identification or sexual orientation. In 2018, the government made a vow to outlaw conversion therapy, which it has since reiterated several times, most notably in the Queen’s Speech in May of last year.

Leading medical organisations, such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the National Health Service (NHS), concur that conversion treatment is ineffective and harmful to patients.

Concerns have been expressed by a number of MPs and organisations that a ban may criminalise teachers, parents, and even therapists for discussing gender identification with students or limit their freedom of religion.

Given the uproar, many activists will be surprised that it isn’t included, but not astonished.

BBC