According to Downing Street, the new Labour government is set to reveal an extensive legislative agenda with more than 35 bills during the first King’s Speech of its tenure. This significant event, scheduled for Wednesday, will feature the King outlining the party’s plans for governing in a ceremony rich with tradition and grandeur. Ministers have pledged to prioritize economic growth and to ensure that the legislation supports their mission to “rebuild Britain.”

The bills will address key areas such as housebuilding, transport improvements, job creation, and securing clean energy, aligning with Sir Keir Starmer’s campaign promises during the general election.

Number 10 has also confirmed a new bill to enforce stringent new spending rules. This bill is “designed to ensure economic growth while avoiding the chaos which left families with spiralling bills and wreaked misery on people’s lives,” by bolstering the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Furthermore, there will be legislation to “empower regions to deliver change for their communities,” with a commitment to “hand the power back to local leaders who know what is best for their areas.”

Reports suggest that the reform of the House of Lords will be included, potentially mandating retirement for peers at age 80 and outlining a roadmap to eliminate hereditary peers.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the urgency of their work, stating, “Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste. We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long-term – and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the down payment on that change.

Providing further insight into the plan, Sir Keir added, “From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbocharge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK. The task of national renewal will not be easy, and this is just the down payment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the King’s Speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people.

A day after this crucial domestic moment, the prime minister will return to the international stage by hosting the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Over 45 leaders will gather on Thursday to discuss “the most pressing generational issues facing Europe,” including migration, energy, and defence, in the first meeting hosted by the UK.

Sir Keir is also set to hold talks with Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron as the new government seeks to “rebuild relationships with key European partners,” according to Downing Street.

Addressing challenges like the Ukraine war and small boat crossings, the prime minister remarked, “I said I would change the way the UK engages with our European partners, working collaboratively to drive forward progress on these generational challenges, and that work starts at the European Political Community meeting on Thursday.