New government, new ceremonies

British politics is not without a certain level of pomp. Following the general election in May, a tremendous amount of tradition must be adhered to so that government can put its plans into action.

The main aspect of this is the state opening of parliament. The state opening, which is usually always held in November or December or just after a general election, is the main ceremonial event of the parliamentary calendar. This year's saw large crowds flock to see new Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and hear their new legislative agenda.

But of course the event does not start that simply. To allow members of the House of Commons into the House of Lords to hear the Queen's Speech, an official called Black Rod is sent to summon the Commons. In a symbol of the Commons' independence, the door to their chamber is slammed in his face and not opened until he has knocked on the door with his staff of office. Following this little ceremony MPs follow Black Rod and the Commons Speaker to the Lords Chamber and stand at the opposite end of the chamber from the Queen.

It is then left to the Queen to address members of both houses, detailing the government's forthcoming legislative agenda. The Queen has no actual control over the content of the speech, the content is drawn up and approved by the new government and Cabinet.

Following the State Opening, a motion that the house sends a "Humble Address" to the Queen thanking her for the speech is introduced in both houses of parliament.

MPs then return to the House of Commons where a huge debate begins, which will last for many days. This allows elected members to discuss and scrutinise the government's new legislative programme. The Queen's Speech is then voted on in the House of Commons, with the almost guaranteed likelihood that it will be passed to let the law-making begin.

MPs and Lords then set to work amending and passing new laws to help the country move forward. Simultaneously, public sector management begins to put in place the structures it will need to deliver the government's programme for the next five years.

The next five years are expected to be particularly challenging for the civil service due to the high economic deficit and the new coalition government, not seen since 1974. But Cameron and Clegg have said that whilst it will be tough, they are determined to see it through to the end.