Boris Johnson has told MPs at Westminster that there will be a public inquiry into his government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Britain suffer the worst death toll in Europe but also enjoy the fastest vaccine rollout. Other bills announced on Tuesday include measures to curb judicial review of government decisions and to require voters to show personal identification before casting their ballots in future elections. A “freedom of speech” bill would place a legal obligation on student unions to “secure lawful freedom of speech for their members and others, including visiting speakers”. The Fixed-term Parliaments Act, introduced by David Cameron’s government in 2011, will be repealed, enabling Mr Johnson to call an election earlier than 2024 if he chooses. “We also oppose plans in the Judicial Review Bill to weaken the power of our courts and to curtail the right of judicial review.

Source: The Irish Times May 11, 2021 12:04 UTC