Why there was no mention of foie gras, fur or the Northern Ireland Protocol in Queen’s Speech | UK News

While 38 pieces of legislation made their way into Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech, there were several notable absences.

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Ministers have committed to introducing some bills that there was no space to include in the speech, while others have been quietly shelved amid internal opposition within the Conservative Party.

Foie gras and fur

Boris Johnson had previously pledged to ban imports of foie gras, fur, shark fins and hunting trophies, but Tuesday’s speech made no mention of a new ban.

The issue is reportedly a political priority for Mr Johnson’s wife, Carrie, but new measures have been opposed by some MPs, who say it is “unConservative” to restrict the imports.

Forty animal rights charities wrote to No 10 recently to demand the ban was resurrected, but it now appears to have been ditched.

Conversion therapy

Ministers had originally planned to ban controversial “conversion therapy” for both gay and transgender people, but the measures have now been watered down to remove any trans measures.

Mr Johnson has been more vocal on trans issues previously and angered LGBTQ+ charities when he dropped the trans conversion therapy ban and opined that trans women should not compete in women’s sports events.

Northern Ireland Protocol

Despite sabre-rattling from the Government that it would act unilaterally to rip up the Northern Ireland Protocol if the EU did not shift in negotiations over ongoing customs issues at the border, no legislation appeared in Tuesday’s speech.

There was a passing reference to protecting the Good Friday Agreement but no new laws on the Protocol.

Civil servants have reportedly drawn up a bill on the matter that could be laid in Parliament later this month, but ministers appear not to want to commit to new laws in the next legislative session.

Football regulator

A new independent regulator for English football was a 2019 Conservative manifesto commitment, but in two and a half years of government has not materialised, beyond a fan-led review of the game to assess potential options.

Tuesday’s speech contained a reference to the idea, but committed ministers only to publish a white paper – draft legislation – in the next 12 months.

Employment bill

Mr Johnson faced backlash after the Queen’s Speech omitted new legislation on workers’ rights.

It had been suggested that ministers would introduce more flexible working rights, protections against pregnancy discrimination, and the right for staff to keep all tips.

The idea is a hangover from the 2019 Queen’s Speech but has never been brought before MPs.

Frances O’Grady, head of the TUC, said the rights now “risk being ditched for good”.

Planning overhaul

Planning reforms designed under Robert Jenrick’s tenure as housing secretary have been significantly watered down since Michael Gove took the job over at the last Cabinet reshuffle.

Aggressive plans to reform the planning system and significantly increase house building in the UK have been abandoned in favour of a more gradual approach.