In a flurry of pomp and circumstance as only the British can do in the confines of the Palace of Westminster, Queen Elizabeth read the Speech from the Throne on Wednesday, laying out the legislative plans for the United Kingdom by her Prime Minister, David Cameron.

And true to his campaign pledges, Cameron has laid out plans for a decisive “in-or-out” referendum on the UK’s place in the European Union (EU) — but only after he has reached a deal on EU reform with the rest of the bloc.

Cameron plans to grant Scotland greater powers in the raising and spending of taxes — a necessary step, given that Scots returned nationalist MPs to 56 of the 59 seats north of the border. But already, the Scottish National Party (SNP) says Cameron’s proposals do not go far enough — and they want more powers for the Scottish assembly in Edinburgh.

Cameron also plans to tackle extremists, granting new powers to ban radical organisations and to ban those who spread hatred through speech.

That may be necessary, but Cameron and his ministers will also have to find a way to effectively stem the flow of young, misguided Britons who feel isolated and leave to swell the ranks of Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), either as brides or as fighters.

And as expected, Cameron has taken a decidedly right turn in proposing new measures to prevent immigrants from benefitting through government services and also planning to seize the wages of anyone who works illegally in Britain.

But there is also a reality that this new government must face — one that was glossed over in all of the majesty and tradition of the State Opening of Parliament. Cameron and his Cabinet are planning to slash Dh60 billion from government spending.

That means lower benefits for millions, fewer teachers in bigger classrooms, fewer nurses and doctors to treat patients who are waiting longer for procedures, and fewer police walking the streets where more will turn to crime to supplement less money in their pockets.

Yes, politics is easy to plan, but economics and the fallout are more difficult.