THE King’s Speech seems harmless enough. However, reading between the lines, there are clear threats to Scotland and there is nothing but the status quo for the one in four children in Inverclyde who live in poverty.

The 'Council of the Nations and the Regions' proposed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer looks like a move to devalue the national status of the Scottish Parliament. It has been a long standing ambition of the Labour leadership in London to conflate English regional devolution with the national and legislative status of Scotland, and by extension Wales and Northern Ireland. No self-respecting First Minister of any persuasion of any nation would have previously allowed it.

However, simultaneous political weakness of the Scottish and Welsh governments presents London Labour their opportunity. It should be resisted at all costs.

Scotland is a nation not a region, a country not a county.

I understand why Starmer wouldn’t commit to scrapping the two-child cap that impacts households across Inverclyde during the election, as he didn’t scare middle England into thinking Labour would be reckless with their finances. Instead of a reckless Labour Government it looks like we will have a feckless one.

Keir Starmer is no longer the leader of the opposition trying to get elected, he’s the Prime Minister with the largest parliamentary majority of this generation. The decision not to scrap the Tory two-child benefit cap but instead now keep it as the Labour two-child benefit cap is appalling.

What’s the point of a Labour Government if they don’t prioritise lifting children out of poverty?

Christopher McEleny
Gourock