State Opening of British Parliment
 

Is just about to start with the Queen's Speech. Generally, I am not a pomp and ceremony person but there is something about this tradition that I like. Firstly, while it is allowing the Queen to read the plan for the next Parliment (and Blair's last) it also rather firmly puts the monarchy in its place and shows that it is really Parliament in charge and not royalty. I love the role of Black Rod, etc.

For Americans..think a bit like the State of the Union address but with much more ceremony.

The one thing I like about this is that this will be Blair's last speech in the Parliament.

Queen's speech,yes but Blair will have many more speeches to Parliment before he goes. I actually think he did a good job today at the debate afterwards. He is at his best with public speaking when they are informal speeches.