Newspaper Column 14th November 2023 - The King's Speech and what it means for Cornwall

Last week King Charles III delivered the King’s Speech to both Houses of Parliament, and to the nation at the State Opening of Parliament. The King’s speech outlines the Government’s priorities for the next session of Parliament, and in doing so, introduces the bills that we as MPs will scrutinise, debate, and vote on before they become law It was the first King’s Speech in more than 70 years, a sombre reminder of our late Queen, but also a celebration of our nation’s amazing history of culture and tradition. I was honoured to join my parliamentary colleagues in the House of Lords to witness it.

The speech focused on the Government’s commitments to the British people. His Majesty spoke of economic growth and the steps being taken to reduce inflation and to ease the cost of living for families. He spoke about how we can safeguard people’s health and security, and he spoke about new investment into businesses to fund new jobs and help local companies grow. Most importantly, the speech set a course for how this government will deliver for communities across Britain, and I want to take this opportunity to tell you all just what this will mean for our great Cornish community.

The King announced new legislation to ensure our energy security, reducing our reliance on volatile international markets and hostile foreign regimes, all without burdening families with ever-increasing bills. Cornwall is at the forefront of Britain’s transition towards renewable energies; the new age of Cornish mining will revolutionise British energy for generations to come.

I am proud that as a nation we are decarbonising faster than any other in the G7. In Cornwall we are already investing in critical minerals, and other forms of energy like solar and the floating offshore wind for the Celtic Sea which are being built right here in Falmouth! It is essential though that we consider how this energy is stored and used. We have the supply of green energy, and we have the drive to invest and grow green Cornish industries, but we need more and better battery storage and cables if we are to use it, and we need them right here. The King announced new investment to reform local grid connections, and I want to see this money spent right here in Cornwall.

The King spoke about Network North, our new rail investment plan to build the essential local connections communities need across and the north and midlands. In Cornwall we’ve already doing this; the plans for the Mid-Cornwall Metro, an affordable, fast, and regular shuttle between Falmouth, Truro, St Austell, and Newquay is exactly what this commitment will be. A local solution to rail transport, which opens the door for businesses to invest and grow, improving access to jobs and education and giving those less able the same freedom of movement we all deserve. This targeted, sensible approach to local public transport is exactly what communities need to create sustainable levelling up everywhere. It is not a new approach, it is a refined approach, and in Cornwall we are already a step ahead in showing how it can be done.

Connectivity is not just about the railways of course. We are a nation of drivers, and we have an opportunity we cannot ignore to grasp new technologies and innovation to make our roads safer, better, and more accessible. The king spoke about the Automated Vehicles Bill, new legislation to introduce self-driving vehicles to our roads. In rural communities it is all too easy for people, especially the elderly, to become isolated. We have seen this all too often, and that is key to why this bill matters. Self-driving cars improve connectivity, access to public services, and will reduce traffic on our roads. This is the most comprehensive legal framework for such technology anywhere in the world, with safety at its core. We’re updating our roads in Cornwall, and the new A30 will be one of the best, modern roads in the country once completed. Now it’s up to us to take the next step to use them to bring people together.

As well as high-tech roads, the King spoke about high tech business. The Government is introducing the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Bill, and the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. Recently the Prime Minister talked about how we introduce AI to the economy, and bills like this are how we do that. The transformation will happen right here. Cornwall has the best digital connectivity in the country. We were the original Silicon Valley, and with the support of individuals such as Richard Ambler from Truro City Council, Cornwall’s digital potential can be realised. High-tech companies can and should be based in Cornwall, and we will make that possible whilst protecting consumers, and employees at every step.

The King spoke about our NHS, and the work the Government is doing to cut waiting lists and transform the way local health services train and recruit new staff. Once again, Cornwall is leading the way. Treliske’s new women and children’s hospital is pioneering approaches to patient care, integrating services within a well-trained and supported specialist team for the first time. The results are already clear to see. Treliske currently has no vacancies at all for midwifes, and in fact has a waiting list for people wishing to apply. That is an extraordinary achievement! Working closely with local schools and colleges, our Royal Cornwall Hospital will expand this approach with training, apprenticeships, and support to enable a professional team at the hospital drawn from right here in our community.

The King spoke about public safety, tacking crime and keeping our communities safe from, anti-social behaviour, terrorism, and illegal migration. We can all agree with these commitments, and Devon and Cornwall Police do a fantastic job of keeping us safe. We have more police now than ever before, and we are using our police more efficiently than before. In Truro we have introduced an anti-social behaviour officer, to liaise with communities directly and our regional elected Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez I know does an outstanding job in keeping our community safe.

This King’s Speech was about community, and it was about setting a course for government with long-term decisions for stability and progress. I want to thank his Majesty for his dedicated service, and for delivering this speech. These commitments matter for everyone in our community now and in the future, and with your help we can set out and do the work to keep our great Cornish community safe, prosperous, successful, and a place to be proud of.

As always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at all I can do to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk, or by telephone on 01872 229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.