One government source told the BBC: “It will be much harder for somebody to challenge the PM and say we need to go in a different direction when the King is about to come to parliament to announce what we’re doing for the next year.”
Others dispute that there is any connection between the threat to Sir Keir’s leadership and the date selected for the King’s Speech, pointing out that in some recent years – most recently 2022 – the speech has taken place in May, when local elections are always held.
The speech also took place very soon after local elections in 2021 and in 2016.
The King’s Speech is part of the state opening of Parliament, a ceremonial event marking the start of a parliamentary session, which typically lasts for a year but can run for much longer.
The current session is on the long side, having begun after the general election in July 2024.
The speech is written by the government but read by the Monarch from a throne in the House of Lords.
It sets out the government’s agenda for the coming session, specifying what pieces of legislation the government intends to pass.
Cabinet ministers began the process of formally “bidding” for legislation they want to be included in the King’s Speech around early October.
Most ministers now know which bills Sir Keir wants to include in his post-May agenda, a source said.