LSE Public Lectures: Simon Hix on the Queen's Speech

Episode date: June 2, 2015
Host: Martin Rogers (LSE Film and Audio Team)
Guest: Professor Simon Hix

Episode Overview

This episode features a timely analysis of the 2015 Queen’s Speech, marking the inception of the UK’s first majority Conservative government since 1997. Professor Simon Hix discusses the content of the legislative agenda, its ideological positioning, and the internal party dynamics behind key bills—offering insights into the evolving identity of the Conservative Party and the broader constitutional implications, especially in relation to Europe and devolution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Content and Character of the Queen’s Speech

[00:09]

• The speech introduces a significant number of bills, mainly from the Conservatives, spanning constitutional, economic, and social domains.
• Anticipation of a highly active Parliament due to the broad legislative portfolio.

Quote:

“We've got an unbelievable number of bills that have been put forward by the Conservatives… A lot of them relating to constitutional questions, some relating to economics, some relating to social policies. And we're going to see a very active Parliament in the coming year.”
— Simon Hix (00:09)

2. Conservative Government’s Ideological Shift

[00:23 – 02:27]

• Previous coalition years with the Liberal Democrats saw centrist, even liberal, policies on both economic and social issues.
• The 2015 Queen’s Speech reflects a return to elements of Thatcherism:
  • Radical free market initiatives: public spending cuts, commitment not to raise taxes, and deregulation for small businesses.
  • Social conservatism: planned bills on immigration control, surveillance (“snooper’s charter”), anti-extremism, anti-drugs, and restriction of trade union powers.
• Notable departure from 1980s Thatcherism: focus on radical devolution rather than centralization.
  • New bills affecting Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, English cities; “English votes for English laws.”
  • Foremost priority: EU referendum bill.

Quote:

“We're seeing a series of bills relating to economic issues... restrictions on trade unions... immigration control bill, snoopers charter... classic Conservative social policies that I think we wouldn't have seen had the Lib Dems been in government with them.”
— Simon Hix (00:47)

Quote:

“The big difference with the 1980s is on the constitutional side... radical devolution plans here... and of course... the EU referendum.”
— Simon Hix (01:34)

3. Centrist Rhetoric vs. Party Pressures

[02:27 – 04:08]

• Despite David Cameron’s “One Nation” rhetoric post-election, the legislative agenda signals either:
  1. The true conservative agenda emerging after masking centrist intentions during election campaigning.
  2. The need to maintain party cohesion with a small majority, balancing moderate leadership and demands of the party’s right, especially ahead of an EU referendum.
• The internal dynamic is described as a “coalition inside the Conservative Party,” reflecting negotiations between modernizers and traditionalists.

Quote:

“Is this an internal coalition he's had to put together because he has a very small majority and because he needs to hold the party together for an EU referendum bill, is this the price he's having to pay?”
— Simon Hix (03:44)

4. Human Rights Legislation & the EU Question

[04:08 – 05:44]

• Notably absent from the Queen’s Speech: a bill to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.
• The government recognizes the complexity due to devolution settlements—especially Scotland and the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
• Withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would affect EU membership, as ECHR observance is required for EU members. Therefore, action postponed pending outcome of the EU referendum.
• Should the UK vote to remain, future debate on human rights legislation could shift rapidly.

Quote:

“Our understanding... is that it's too early for them to actually try and bring something forward. They realise this is far more complicated than they originally thought because the Human Rights act introduced by labour is part of the devolution package for Scotland. It's part of the Good Friday Agreement... If we pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights, would this jeopardize our membership of the EU?”
— Simon Hix (04:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We could look back and see this is quite a radical government on lots of fronts.”
  — Simon Hix (01:50)
• “For a lot of the backbenchers, it's now the gloves are off.”
  — Simon Hix (03:14)
• “I doubt very much we will pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights until we have had that EU referendum.”
  — Simon Hix (05:23)

Important Timestamps

• 00:09: Breakdown of Queen’s Speech contents
• 00:47: Return to Thatcherite policies
• 01:34: Radical devolution and the EU referendum element
• 02:27: Post-election “One Nation” rhetoric vs. policy reality
• 03:44: Internal party coalition and management
• 04:23: ECHR, British Bill of Rights, and constitutional complexities
• 05:23: Relationship between ECHR, EU membership, and referendum timing

Tone & Language

• The discussion is analytical, conversational, and direct—balancing academic insight with accessible explanations. Simon Hix provides historical context and nuanced interpretations without resorting to jargon, making the conversation highly engaging and relevant for a broad audience.