As 650 MPs and nearly 900 Lords assemble for their annual meeting with the Queen, today could be a day for something radical to happen. Of course it is much more likely that all of the planned and predetermined ceremonies along with the carefully written speech will ensure that the day passes off in a manner that avoids controversy and reinforces the status quo. As the infographic neatly explains, our national political sovereignty is all in one place for this grand event but the image overlooks one important element which is the people on whose behalf these people are assembling. Technically our views are being represented by some of the 600 or so MPs but in reality this is brought into question in many ways, such as the latest set of Parliamentary expenses as outlined in this article that are at their highest level ever. Our electoral system remains corrupted thanks to the dominance of two political parties who are kept in power thanks to some 500 “safe seats” which ensure that the votes of most of us make no difference to the way in which this nation is run. These parties represent a mere 1% of the population, and is the opinions of these 600,000 people which could shape today’s ceremony and should they wish it, lead to a review and reform of our Parliament, but I am not holding my breath!