While Parliament enjoys the long recess over Easter, committed political anoraks are considering, over mini-eggs and hot cross buns no doubt, what the final Queen's Speech of the inaugural fixed- termParliament may bring.

Were it not for this imperceptible constitutional change, there is no doubt that the country would be running pell mell into a General Election, with the robust health of the economic revival trumpeted by the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, and the cost of living and the state of public services the calling card of the Labour Party.

Instead, after the tumult and excitement of the 22 May local and European elections, the Queen will return for the state opening Parliament on 3 June to set out the legislative agenda for the year ahead.