I RETURNED to Westminster last week for the first time since the election.

The feeling is similar to the start of a school year, with this Parliament’s new intake of MPs finding their way around the maze of corridors and meeting rooms and settling in to their new offices.

For those of us returning, it’s been a case of getting paperwork and office items out of storage (nothing is permitted to stay in MPs’ parliamentary offices during the election campaign, as of course no-one knows who’ll be returning and who may lose their seat).

For me it has also meant a change of office.

As I was first elected in a by-election (2012), and therefore entered the Commons mid-term, this is the first time I’ll be present at the start of a full Parliament, with all its unusual traditions.

The formal proceedings began this week, with the election of the Speaker (re-election in this case of John Bercow). This happens at the start of a Parliament, and the tradition is that the successful candidate is physically dragged to the Chair by other MPs.

This custom has its roots in the Speaker's function, which is to communicate the Commons' opinions to the monarch. Historically, if the monarch didn't agree with the message being brought, then the early death of the Speaker could follow – therefore understandably Speakers in earlier times required some gentle persuasion to accept the post. Thankfully losing one’s head is no longer a risk for the Speaker.

The process of swearing-in MPs then takes place over a few days, both returning and new members. Members of both Houses of Parliament are required by law to take an oath of allegiance or make a solemn affirmation to the Crown on taking their seat in Parliament. After the Commons Speaker has taken the oath, MPs come forward one by one, in order of seniority, to swear or affirm at the despatch box.

When the majority of MPs and Members of the Lords have been sworn in, both Houses of Parliament are ready to hear the Queen's Speech at the official State Opening, starting the business of the session. Readers may be more familiar with these proceedings, which happen every year, and which will take place on Wednesday next week.

This is when we hear the new Government’s agenda for the coming session, with an outline of proposed policies and legislation – after which it is straight back into the swing of parliamentary business, debates, and committees.

Whilst Labour may not have won the election, it is absolutely crucial that we get quickly back into the key task of the Opposition - robustly scrutinising the Government.