PM Boris Johnson unveiled a barrage of new laws to make Britain “the greatest place on earth” on Monday — but left out house building, troops and the elderly.
The Queen carried out the first State Opening of Parliament in more than two years.
Reading out Mr Johnson’s first Queen’s Speech, the 93-year-old monarch detailed voter-friendly plans for the NHS, crime and the environment — in what was seen by many as the starting gun for a general election.
The package of 22 bills will allow the Government to “seize the opportunities Brexit will bring” and “get this amazing country of ours moving again”, the PM said.
But Boris also faced bitter criticism for a raft of omissions.
Housing charities called it “frustrating” that the Government failed to tackle the nation’s chronic housing shortage.
Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: “With more than 300,000 people homeless and millions fighting for a stable home, this is not something it can ignore.”
There was also fury with Mr Johnson over no protection for persecuted troops. And it emerged he had ducked a second promise he committed to during the Tory leadership race to enshrine troops’ rights in law.
There was criticism for paying lip service on the crisis in old age care.
A plan to tackle the social care time bomb has been long-awaited.
But the PM’s spokesman said: “The Queen’s Speech is not the totality of what the Government intends to do.”
No10 also had to deny a new spat with Buckingham Palace over the wording on Brexit. The monarch said: “My Government’s priority has always been to secure the UK’s departure on 31 October.” But No10’s accompanying summary said: “We are leaving on October 31.”
