Animal Rights and the King's Speech

Imagining What I Would Say in a King's Speech

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will preside over the State Opening of the UK Parliament tomorrow. The monarch reads out a speech to the assembled members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The King’s Speech, as it is known, is written by the government. It announces the government’s forthcoming legislative agenda for the next session of Parliament.

I have taken the liberty of imagining what I would say in a King’s Speech if I had the opportunity.

His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons

It is mindful of a new government for the United Kingdom and the lack of significant legislation to protect animals and assert their moral and legal rights from the preceding Conservative Government, that I deliver this King’s Speech.

My Government will bring forward a bill to establish an Animal Protection Commission responsible for implementing a government-wide strategy to advance animals’ moral and legal rights.

Legislation will be introduced to implement mandatory educational programs in schools to foster compassion and encourage respect for animals and the environment.

Legislation will be introduced to provide grants and other compensatory packages for animal rescue organisations and charities to support their work to prevent cruelty and assist at-risk animals, including mandatory spaying and neutering.

Legislation will be introduced to invest in vegan, cruelty-free products and services businesses and nonprofits and research and development to foster economic growth for an ethical society. Fur will be replaced by vegan alternatives in all ceremonial uses.

My government will bring forward a bill to immediately prohibit the importation into the UK of all products or services produced by practices involving live animals outlawed here. Among other measures, this legislation will make it an offence to smuggle or illegally bring cats, dogs, and other animals sold as human companions.

My government will bring forward a bill to immediately ban snares, glue traps, and all other means by which animals are indiscriminately trapped, injured or killed.

My Ministers will bring forward a bill to prohibit all forms of hunting and shooting in two years; immediately outlaw trail hunting, terrierwork, hunting on Ministry of Defence (MOD) land, and any loophole or exemption used to illegally hunt wild animals; prohibit the use of lead shot in shooting and lead weights in catching fish; and end immediately present policy to kill badgers and implement a new strategy protecting farmed animals and all wildlife.

My government will bring forward a bill to end all forms of intensive farming of fish in two years and eliminate in five years all tax subsidies and any other financial benefits and incentives and government procedures in support of the intensive production of animals for human consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy.

Legislation will be introduced to outlaw the breeding and selling of cats, dogs, and any other animals considered to be human companions in two years.

Legislation will be introduced to end immediately greyhound racing and the Grand National horse race, and prohibit in five years all horse racing.

My Government will bring forward a bill to reduce by 50 per cent in ten years all scientific procedures using animals licenced by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

My Government will, in all respects, seek to make long-term decisions in the interests of future generations, environmental protection, and animal rights. By taking these long-term decisions, my Government will change this country and build a better future for all.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

Other measures will be laid before you to establish an ethical, respectful, peaceful, and compassionate vegan society, respectful of the environment, to the fullest extent possible for everyone regardless of any differences between us.

I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your counsels.