New UK government promises austerity
Source: Agencies |
May 26, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
QUEEN Elizabeth II delivered a somber message of austerity yesterday in a speech outlining the plans of Britain's new coalition government, which include capping non-European immigration and holding a referendum on changes to the centuries-old political system.
The queen wore a crown studded with 2,000 diamonds for an event featuring cavalry, Yeoman warders and glittering carriages. Crowds lined the streets to gawk at the show of pomp and power. "The first priority is to reduce the deficit and restore economic growth," the queen said.
The speech confirmed that the new government will hold a referendum on making Britain's voting system more proportional, change the House of Lords from an appointed to an elected chamber and introduce fixed, five-year parliamentary sessions rather than sessions that can be dissolved by prime ministers whenever they think a new election would be advantageous.
The measures are meant to increase confidence in politics after last year's scandal over lawmakers' excessive expense claims.
No ID cards
"My government will propose parliamentary and political reform to restore trust in democratic institutions and rebalance the relationship between the citizen and the state," the queen said.
The new government - the result of a pact between the Conservative Party and the smaller Liberal Democrats after the May 6 election - has drawn up a program focused on reviving the economy and rolling back restrictions on personal freedoms.
Steps to reduce Britain's record budget deficit - public sector net borrowing for the last fiscal year was 154.5 billion pounds (US$233 billion) - included creating an independent economic forecaster, scrapping a planned increase in payroll taxes and levying a new tax on banks. The Bank of England will be given more supervisory powers.
Prime Minister David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative Party, and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, have confirmed they will scrap an unpopular 5.1 billion pound plan for national identity cards and a linked database.
An ICM opinion poll published late Monday found 54 percent believe the coalition will improve Britain, and 41 percent disagree.
The queen wore a crown studded with 2,000 diamonds for an event featuring cavalry, Yeoman warders and glittering carriages. Crowds lined the streets to gawk at the show of pomp and power. "The first priority is to reduce the deficit and restore economic growth," the queen said.
The speech confirmed that the new government will hold a referendum on making Britain's voting system more proportional, change the House of Lords from an appointed to an elected chamber and introduce fixed, five-year parliamentary sessions rather than sessions that can be dissolved by prime ministers whenever they think a new election would be advantageous.
The measures are meant to increase confidence in politics after last year's scandal over lawmakers' excessive expense claims.
No ID cards
"My government will propose parliamentary and political reform to restore trust in democratic institutions and rebalance the relationship between the citizen and the state," the queen said.
The new government - the result of a pact between the Conservative Party and the smaller Liberal Democrats after the May 6 election - has drawn up a program focused on reviving the economy and rolling back restrictions on personal freedoms.
Steps to reduce Britain's record budget deficit - public sector net borrowing for the last fiscal year was 154.5 billion pounds (US$233 billion) - included creating an independent economic forecaster, scrapping a planned increase in payroll taxes and levying a new tax on banks. The Bank of England will be given more supervisory powers.
Prime Minister David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative Party, and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, have confirmed they will scrap an unpopular 5.1 billion pound plan for national identity cards and a linked database.
An ICM opinion poll published late Monday found 54 percent believe the coalition will improve Britain, and 41 percent disagree.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 娌狪CP璇侊細娌狪CP澶05050403鍙-1
- |
- 浜掕仈缃戞柊闂讳俊鎭湇鍔¤鍙瘉锛31120180004
- |
- 缃戠粶瑙嗗惉璁稿彲璇侊細0909346
- |
- 骞挎挱鐢佃鑺傜洰鍒朵綔璁稿彲璇侊細娌瓧绗354鍙
- |
- 澧炲肩數淇′笟鍔＄粡钀ヨ鍙瘉锛氭勃B2-20120012
Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
