Now one might think given my political leanings that hereditary privilege would be an anathema to me.  But I have to say that having witnessed three days of wondrous celebration on the diamond jubilee of her Majesty the Queen one thing I can say about us Brits, we know how to throw a party! The pomp, the ceremony, the pageantry,  the mix of old tradition with the new.  The celebration of the Commonwealth, the thousands that thronged the streets.  The flotilla on the Thames, the concert, the flyby.  The wonderful sense that we are an ancient nation.  Makes you proud.  

We live in a time of cynicism, a time of austerity.  But a nation stood up this weekend and celebrated all that makes us us.  It was lovely to be witness to such a great event.  Now bring on the platinum jubilee.  Three cheers to her Majesty!