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The House of Commons returned today – and the rarely seen magic of our political system unfolded before our eyes.

Power was transferred from one party to another – not only without a shot being fired, but without even a voice raised in anger. 

Instead, the changing of the guard was signified by the simple act of sitting in a different part of a small chamber in Westminster.  

From Rishi Sunak – on the opposition benches for the first time in his career – a sombre concession of defeat and a pledge that the new Conservative opposition would hold the government to account.

Change was everywhere you looked – more women MPs, the most diverse Commons ever and a Liberal Democrat party taking up the most room of any third party in a hundred years. 

The future represented by the more than 300 people setting foot in the Commons chamber for the first time – including Nigel Farage.  

But so was the institutional memory of the House: Sir Edward Leigh, the new Father of the House after 41 years of service.

And Diane Abbott, the new Mother of the House to whom Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute as someone who had fought for a parliament that truly represents modern Britain.

Soon regular service – the political pantomime, jeering, and theatrics – will doubtless resume. 

But today, for a brief moment, we witnessed parliament at its best.