Andrew MacAskill and Elizabeth Piper

LONDON, (Reuters) – Boris Johnson the British Prime Minister reaffirmed his pledges in his last election to address regional inequalities. Johnson also vowed to maximise post-Brexit rights on Tuesday. Johnson hopes to win back votes in south England that voted against his party in local elections.

Johnson declared that the Conservative government will fulfill the election promises in 2019.

There was not much to be comforted by the many millions who are struggling due to higher food and fuel costs. However, the government stated that they will “repair our public finances”, rather than sending additional money to help.

Charles stated that Her Majesty’s government’s priority was to increase and strengthen the economy, and lower the cost of living. He was reading from a document prepared by the government.

Charles delivered the speech during a pageantry-filled ceremony in front of the robed lawmakers and lords who had marched from the House of Commons into the House of Lords. They were led by Johnson, and Keir Starmer, opposition Labour leader.

Charles was Queen Elizabeth’s heir. He was called in by Buckingham Palace after the palace said that on Monday, the monarch, who is 96, had “episodic mobility issues” and reluctantly had decided not to attend.

38 bills were included in the Queen’s Speech. These include measures to revive Britain’s High Streets, combat illicit finance, and make London’s Financial District more attractive for global investors.

Johnson stated that Johnson was introducing the government’s legislative program and said, “This is a Queen’s Speech to put our country on track again and make sure we keep the promises made at the beginning of this parliament.”

“While we must keep our public finances on a sustainable footing – and we cannot completely shield people from the fallout from global events – where we can help, we will.”

FOCUS ON SHIFTING

Johnson and his government want to put the spotlight back on the “real issues” after months of reporting about COVID-19-busting gatherings at Johnson’s Downing Street residence and office.

Johnson and Rishi Sunak (his finance minister) were fined after they hosted one such event. Starmer, an opposition leader, intensified the pressure by promising to resign in case he also broke lockdown rules.

Johnson and Sunak did not resign, while Downing Street waited for the result of a police investigation into possible other gatherings.

Johnson will also be under increasing pressure to address the growing cost of living crisis. But the Queen’s Speech provided no indications about any government actions that might immediately be taken to support those who are struggling to pay their bills.

According to the Bank of England, Britain is at risk of experiencing a double-whammy of recession and high inflation of 10%.

Johnson was punished last week in the local elections. Voters in south England deserted his party because of the scandals, and the high cost of living. His party members argued for a return to the more conservative Conservative agenda that included tax cuts, and to stop housing from invading rural areas.

Johnson believes he will be able to push back on his agenda which won him large numbers in the 2019 National Election.

In the introduction of the agenda, he stated that “from the moment I was elected prime minister, it has been my mission to deliver for British citizens.”

“Over the rest of this parliament this government will work tirelessly to make sure we achieve that.”