Did you watch the State opening of Parliament today? What do you think of all the pomp and circumstance? Is it still necessary to have everyone dolled up in their regalia and to have the doors slammed and Black Rod hammer on them asking to be let in?

Originally Posted by scoobydoo

Did you watch the State opening of Parliament today? What do you think of all the pomp and circumstance? Is it still necessary to have everyone dolled up in their regalia and to have the doors slammed and Black Rod hammer on them asking to be let in?

It doesn't do a thing for me, and I can't see much point in keeping ceremonies purely for the sake of them. If there are benefits to them, such as attracting tourists for example, fair enough, but tradition for the sake of tradition, no, it's time we moved on.