THE Queen's Speech is late this year, on December 3 instead of the more usual early November.

It's not her fault of course, she comes when the Government decide it's time to wind up the old session and launch a new and (possibly) exciting legislative programme.

There are still a few Bills which require the parliamentary procedure known as ping-pong, in which the House of Commons turns down some of the changes made by the Lords, and the Lords decide whether or not to stand their ground and send it back down to the Commons for another look.

But there's not a lot left to argue about – in most cases compromises have already been reached.

There's the Counter-Terrorism Bill, but the main issues such as the ill-fated "42 days" proposal were settled some time ago.

Bills on climate change and local transport are still bobbing about a bit, along with the Planning Bill and those on pensions and dormant bank accounts – but it will all be over by tomorrow.

On Thursday we'll see the little ceremony of Prorogation.

Then next week the full pomp of the official opening takes place when MPs are summoned by Black Rod to stand at the bar of the House of Lords (the bottom end by the Brass Gates) and watch as the Queen reads out the government's plans for the coming year.

They are promising or threatening (depending on your viewpoint) to introduce yet another Bill on Local Government and Housing.

It will include new laws on what (in typically awful New Labour jargon) they call "community engagement".

There's a lot of loose talk at Westminster about a spring election, but it's all hot air: what will really matter are the new Bills they announce next week.

Watch this space!