<em>I had realised Gordon Brown was keen to do the job of PM, Deputy PM, Chancellor, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary, but even I had thought he might let the Queen deliver the Queen’s speech, only to discover he decided to deliver it himself before the Parliamentary recess. Whilst the formal opening of Parliament will remain a great ceremonial event, it will lack the old excitement of not knowing what measures would be in?? the programme until we heard it in the speech from the throne.</em>

<em>The State opening was designed as a perfect blend of monarchy and democratic accountability. The Queen sets out what her government is planning to do, reading out the government’s own draft. The PM and the Leader of the Opposition then?? return to the Commons to have a full bloodied debate on the merits and defects of the programme. Ambassadors and other important representatives come to hear the government’s plans for the year ahead, to mingle and discuss after the Speech from the throne, and then to send back their reports. So much of this has now been removed by Gordon Brown’s decision to spill the beans months before the official State opening.</em>

<em>Of course there is?? merit in some Bills being put out for wider discussion before being put to Parliament for detailed debate. This can be accommodated within the Queen’s Speech format by putting out a wide range of measures for consultation in advance, and only deciding near the State Opening which of those will go alongside other?? measures to make up the legislative programme.</em>

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