Gunpowder Plot

It is the state opening of the UK Parliament today. As I walked into the office from the hotel, the security operation was massive. There were more police and journo's than commuters and the closure of the square murdered the traffic.

They had even removed all of the ever present black steel/concrete traffic blocks to stop someone driving a bomb into the building, probably just so it looks better for HM.

Now, whether you like the current state of politics (I don't - basically we have politics by tabloid at the moment in my view) or whether, as a naturalised Scot I believe in home rule or not (devolution is just fine thanks, no need to be childish and sever all ties), you have to be proud of the heritage and history of parliament and what it stands for.

... and it isn't a coincidence that the opening of parliament is so close to Guy Fawkes day - that's what the Gunpowder Plot was all about. Its quite enlightening to recognise that we have had terrorists all through our history trying to make a statement and blow up one of the institutions of our country.

To top it all off, it was a beautiful morning and Westminster Palace looked tip top.

- - - - -

LOTD: Qu'est-ce que je fais fantastic scary portrait is my link today - what is he doing?