MPs prepare to elect the Speaker

Waiting for Parliament to start. Looking down on the chamber of the new Commons – the government Tory/Lib Dem coalition benches are a lot less gender-mixed than the PM would’ve liked but boy are they crowded. Standing room only.

The Lib Dems without ministerial posts are sitting in a group opposite where they used to sit. Ming Campbell in the seat Dennis Skinner used to grace and Ted Heath before him. It says “I’m not a man to mess with” to me.

Vince Cable has barely got a buttock on the front bench. Is that some kind of metaphor?

Election of Speaker about to start.