UK's new Labour Party govt promises 'national renewal'

London: Britain's new Labour Party government promised to calm the country's febrile politics and ease its cost-of-living crisis as it set out its plans for "national renewal" at the grand State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday.

Stabilising public finances and spurring economic growth were at the centre of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's legislative agenda, announced in a speech written by government officials and delivered by King Charles III. "My government will seek a new partnership with both business and working people and help the country move on from the recent cost of living challenges by prioritizing wealth creation for all communities," the king said in a speech to hundreds of lawmakers and members of the House of Lords.

Charles traveled from Buckingham Palace to Parliament in a horse-drawn carriage - past a small group of anti-monarchy protesters with signs reading 'Down with the Crown' - before donning ceremonial robes and the Imperial State Crown to deliver his speech.