Queen's Speech — Programme for Government — Immigration — Policing — Elections — 19 May 2021 at 18:44

The majority of MPs voted in favour of requiring ID from voters in elections, for measures intended to deter illegal entry into the UK, in favour of legislation to tackle violence, including against women and girls, and for action to support victims and improve internet safety.

MPs were considering the motion:

• That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows:
• Most Gracious Sovereign,
• We, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both Houses of Parliament.

The amendment rejected by a majority of MPs in this vote was:

• but
• respectfully regret that the Gracious Speech fails to include bills that protect workers’ rights, reform social care in England, or deliver a fair pay rise for NHS staff;
• further believe that the Procurement Bill proposals will undermine devolution;
• regret that the Gracious Speech does not contain provision to make the £20 Universal Credit uplift permanent, end the freeze of social security benefits or scrap the two-child limit and so-called rape clause attached to child credits; and
• reject the Government’s proposals for immigration reform, voter ID and policing which will place disproportionate restrictions on people’s human rights.

The Government's proposals were contained in the Queen's Speech, which stated, on the subjects of immigration reform, voter ID and policing. References to Bills, or other material, were provided in the Government's transcript of the Speech:

• * "Measures will be brought forward to establish a fairer immigration system that strengthens the United Kingdom’s borders and deters criminals who facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys. (New Plan for Immigration Legislation)"
• * "Legislation will be introduced to ensure the integrity of elections" [Electoral Integrity Bill]
• * "My Government will introduce measures to increase the safety and security of its citizens."
• * "My Government will lead the way in ensuring internet safety for all, especially for children [Draft Online Safety Bill], whilst harnessing the benefits of a free, open and secure internet"
• * "Proposals will be brought forward to address violence, including against women and girls, and to support victims [Draft Victims Bill]".

The New Plan for Immigration Legislation stated:

• At the heart of our New Plan for Immigration is a simple principle: fairness. Access to the UK’s asylum system should be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers.
• ...
• ...three major objectives with these reforms:
• Firstly, to increase the fairness and efficacy of our system so that we can better protect and support those in genuine need of asylum.
• Secondly, to deter illegal entry into the UK, thereby breaking the business model of people smuggling networks and protecting the lives of those they endanger.
• Thirdly, to remove more easily from the UK those with no right to be here.
• ...
• We will increase the maximum sentence for illegally entering the UK and introduce life sentences for those facilitating illegal entry.

The Electoral Integrity Bill had not been published, but a background briefing document published alongside the speech^[1] stated the Bill would include a provision:

• Requiring identification to vote in a polling station

A Draft Online Safety Bill had been published. The explanatory notes to the draft Bill stated it:

• imposes duties of care in relation to illegal content and content that is harmful to children on providers of internet services which allow users to upload and share user-generated content ... and on providers of search engines

A (Draft) Victims Bill had not been published at the time of the vote, one was published a few days later on 25 May. The background briefing document published alongside the speech^[1] stated the Bill would: "set expectations for the standard and availability of victim support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence" and enshrine the key rights in the new Victims’ Code into law, and listed those rights as being:

• * Kept informed at key stages of the case.
• * Provided with regular updates on the progress of their case.
• * Referred to organisations supporting victims of crime.
• * Given the opportunity to make a Victim Personal Statement and be informed how it was used in court.
• * Informed when an offender is released, where eligible under the Victim Contact Scheme

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• [1] Queen's Speech 2021, Background Briefing Notes, 11 May 2021, Gov.uk

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