On 28 May Alistair Lexden was a guest on LBC’s breakfast programme where he discussed some of the main themes of the Queen’s Speech at the start of the new Session of Parliament.
He welcomed its emphasis on one nation conservatism, reminding listeners that David Cameron had underlined his commitment to this historic Tory principle at the very start of the Speech: “My Government will legislate in the interests of everyone in our country. It will adopt a one nation approach”.
It was a bold pledge and the right one in the circumstances of Britain today whose new parliament gives greater representation to women and ethnic communities. He denied that proposed changes to trade union law—to ensure majority backing for strike action and to democratise the political levy—were in conflict with the one nation approach: they would encourage members to play a fuller part in the affairs of their unions.
He also pointed out that the further development of devolution outlined in the Speech might lead ultimately to a new constitutional settlement based on the federal principle.