Loyal Address — Conservative amendment — rejected — 25 May 2005 at 18:45

The majority No voters rejected a Conservative amendment^[1] to the Queen's Loyal Address. The amendment would have added:

• regret that the Gracious Speech does not contain measures to address the major challenges the British economy now faces to ensure its competitiveness in the light of unprecedented global competition
• further regret the absence of measures to bridge the skills gap so that the UK has the right skills for tomorrow's economy
• deplore the failure to include in the Gracious Speech a credible programme for cutting the burden of regulation which stifles business and holds back entrepreneurs
• condemn the absence of measures to ensure value for taxpayers' money in order to improve public services and remove the need for further tax increases
• further regret the absence of measures in the Gracious Speech to tackle the pensions crisis to which Government policy has contributed, or to encourage savings to help give people greater security and dignity in retirement.

Those voting Aye were therefore supporting these criticisms; those voting No were disagreeing with them.

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• [1] George Osborne MP, House of Commons, 25 May 2005

Debate in Parliament | Source |