“Give up the gimmicks” – Carmichael calls for serious action ahead of King’s Speech

Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, has today called for the government to “give up the gimmicks” ahead of the King’s Speech on Tuesday. Speaking ahead of the speech, which will be King Charles’ first since taking the throne, Mr Carmichael said that the Conservative government needed to “govern in the national interest rather than flailing for a way to catch up in the polls”. He called on the government to set aside “ideological showboating” and focus on cutting bills for families and encouraging green growth.

Mr Carmichael said:

“The Tories need to face facts – they have lost the ear of the country and they are not getting it back. It is time to give up the gimmicks and govern in the national interest rather than flailing for a way to catch up in the polls. A year ago the Prime Minister had a chance to reset his party’s position but that chance has long passed.

“If Rishi Sunak really wanted to make positive change he would not be spending his time on trivial stories and culture wars – he would be focusing on policies which make a difference to normal people who are struggling right now.

“Positive change on energy is not about tinkering at the edges with licensing round gimmicks – it should be focused on reforming Ofgem’s remit, decentralising the system and helping those who are worst affected by fuel poverty. That is how we cut bills and encourage green growth.

“The Conservatives are consumed by in-fighting and ideological showboating – if they cannot get their house in order then they need to get out of the way.”