The Queen’s Speech is certainly one of the highlights of the parliamentary calendar in terms of pomp and ceremony.  It is undoubtedly a spectacular occasion and reminds us all why Westminster is acknowledged as the mother of all Parliaments. 

But sometimes it can be far too easy to focus on the golden carriage or the splendour of the buildings, and miss the important policies that Her Majesty announced.  There isn’t much time before a General Election must be called, but in this time I believe it is Parliament’s duty to work hard to make sure the best Bills in the Queen’s Speech are passed into law.  This is because they can and will have a positive impact on people’s lives here in Gloucester.

Take the idea of extending personal care at home to the people with the greatest need.  Disabled and older people often say that they want to live in their own home, not a residential home, for as long as possible.  By providing people with personal care – help with essential daily tasks like washing, dressing, and getting in and out of bed – we can allow them to live independently and with dignity in their own homes.

New legislation designed to support children, schools and families will set out clearly to parents and pupils what they should expect from a school in modern Britain – such as one-to-one tuition for pupils falling behind at Key Stage 2 and Year 7 – and a means of redress if expectations are not met.  It will also ensure that Local Authorities conduct annual surveys of parents, and that they act upon the views of parents about the school provision in their locality.  These reforms will give parents new powers to make sure their children get the most out of school, and the best education possible.

The Financial Services Authority will be given tough new powers to clean up our financial system.  They will be able to tear up bankers’ contracts if they could promote risky behaviour.  Important banks and financial institutions will also be made to write a will, outlining how, if necessary, they can be wound up without jeopardising the rest of the financial system.

These issues matter to people in Gloucester, and along with new policies including plans to ban cluster bombs, improve the conditions of agency workers and support carbon capture technology, will really make a difference to our country.

Parmjit Dhanda MP

Member of Parliament for Gloucester