Britain’s King Charles outlined Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s legislative agenda on Wednesday, pledging a governance focused on economic revival and addressing pressing issues like housing shortages and the cost of living crisis.

In a ceremony marked by grandeur, attended by robed lords and lawmakers, Charles articulated the government’s priorities following the center-left Labour Party’s decisive victory in this month’s election.

The agenda includes over 35 bills aimed at stimulating economic growth, reforming planning laws to facilitate housing construction, expediting major infrastructure projects, enhancing transportation networks, and fostering job creation.

King Charles III, adorned in a crimson and white robe and the Imperial State crown, delivered a speech crafted by the government, aiming to set a new tone in British politics emphasizing public service over self-interest—a departure, Labour argues, from the chaos often associated with 14 years of Conservative Party rule.

“My government will serve the country faithfully,” proclaimed Charles.

“The legislative agenda of my government will be mission-oriented, guided by principles of security, fairness, and equal opportunity for all.”

Starmer secured one of the largest parliamentary mandates in modern British history on July 4, establishing himself as the most influential national leader since former Prime Minister Tony Blair. However, he faces formidable challenges, particularly in improving strained public services amid fiscal constraints.

Introducing the proposed legislation, Starmer declared, “The era of politics as spectacle and self-interest above public service is over.”

Yet, he cautioned voters hoping for swift solutions from the new Labour administration, noting, “Rebuilding our nation will not be achieved overnight. The challenges ahead demand steadfast, patient efforts and substantive solutions.”

“We will unleash growth and remove barriers in Britain, decisively turning the page on the economic recklessness and persistent failure to plan for the future that characterized the Conservative government.”

The government unveiled plans to expedite and streamline the planning process to tackle Britain’s acute housing crisis and the protracted delays in infrastructure projects.

Through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the government indicated intentions to limit local opposition to new developments, emphasizing “democratic engagement on how, not whether, homes and infrastructure are constructed.”

Additionally, the government outlined initiatives to gradually re-nationalize the passenger rail network, ensuring affordable fares to incentivize rail travel by assuming state control over rail contracts currently held by private entities upon their expiration.

This move aims to reverse much of the railway privatization undertaken by the Conservative government in the 1990s.

The speech underscored the government’s commitment to resetting relations with the European Union following years of Brexit-related discord, with the king asserting that his ministers “will pursue a new security agreement to bolster cooperation.”

Starmer is poised to advance this agenda during upcoming meetings with the European Political Community, formed in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, building on discussions at the recent NATO summit in Washington. However, negotiations on a security pact are expected to unfold later in the year.