Get the party started

At last, the long-awaited Queen's Speech.

For most people this archaic event is of very little interest. If you're engaged in a constant battle against excessive legislation, however, it's a harbinger of things to come.

Indeed, ever since the consultation on standardised packaging of tobacco closed in August last year we've had one eye on the consultation report, the other on the Queen's Speech.

As the months ticked by and there was still no sign of the report we had a sneaking suspicion that the Government might ignore the very strong arguments against plain packaging (and the 500,000 people who signed petitions against it) and include it in the legislative programme anyway.

Two months ago our fears grew when, quoting a "senior Whitehall source" now thought to be public health minister Anna Soubry, the Guardian ran a front page report with the headline, Government to legislate for plain cigarette packaging this year.

Although David Cameron denied a decision had been made, we couldn't be sure. Our campaign continued.

Today, a week after the Sun reported that plain packaging was not going to be in the Queen's Speech, I am looking forward to official confirmation.

Later, in a mood of quiet contemplation (!), I will join colleagues for a drink or three. After 15 months' relentless campaigning I think we deserve it.

After that? Watch this space.

PS. I'm not going to name all the people, including bloggers, who have helped the Hands Off Our Packs campaign, but you know who you are.

Thanks!