King's Speech draws election battle lines

RISHI Sunak warns Labour would ditch our Brexit freedoms and shackle the UK to a fresh EU deal.

- Sam Lister

He said Keir Starmer would reverse progress made and laying the groundwork for an general election, the Prime Minister put law and order at the heart of yesterday's King's Speech.

Mr. Sunak declared Britain has "turned the corner" since last year and he promised to deliver the "change the country needs".

He told the Daily Express: "We have introduced new legislation to grow the economy, increase energy security, bring in investment, create jobs, improve skills and boost our brilliant innovators and entrepreneurs helping people everywhere seize new opportunities.

"Building on a £27billion tax cut on investment for businesses and using our Brexit freedoms to sign new trade deals, we are putting global Britain into action.

"We can only do this because of our new freedoms outside the EU."

In the first King's Speech in more than 70 years, Charles III began the 11-minute address to Parliament setting out government plans with a tribute to his beloved mother.

Returning the ceremony to its traditional pomp after the late Queen scaled back to practical day dress when carrying out duties in her 90s, he wore the Imperial State Crown.

The King read out 21 Bills ministers aim to push through before an election expected next autumn.