There are days upon which the Commons can make you proud. Today was one of those days

The House of Commons is a remarkable institution. It’s one that I admire and respect, criticise and traduce. It’s a means for the British establishment to asset itself upon the people, but also – increasingly so in the grand sweep of history – for the people to impose themselves upon the British establishment. It’s where a great deal of what matters to me – the laws that extended our democracy, our rights and our NHS – were written and passed in this historic Parliament.

As I wander around its grounds, remembering how remarkable this place is – how history can be found on every inch of the estate – I also remember how distant it is from the lives of people living just a few miles away, never mind those living hundreds of miles away who are touched by its decisions.

Too often politics – and the way in which the business of politics is conducted – actively alienates the British people. Tradition prevails to the extent that it

The great British experiment of democracy is an ongoing on. It is refined by time and circumstance. And it is under constant pressure. It is essentially flawed, but as Churchill famously said, it’s “the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried”.

And there are days upon which the Commons can make you proud. Today was one of those days.

But light always requires shade. And the Commons was only able to assert itself powerfully and raucously after an attempt at low skulduggery from the Tory front bench. The decision to try and ram through a chance to the way in which the Speaker is elected in the final hours of this Parliament was contemptible. William Hague could have left the Commons today remembered – on the whole – as a decent Parliamentarian. Instead he’s leaving as a weasely agent of Cameron and Gove.

And how the chamber hit back against this attempt to sidestep them. The denunciations came from all sides. Hague slumped down on the front bench as the barbs came from in front and behind. He was ashen-faced as Charles Walker – in a truly remarkable speech – talked of how Hague had taken him for a fool.

His was far from the only notable contribution, but it was one of the finest the House has seen in recent years.

Because the representatives of the people, some on their final days in the House, were not ready or willing to be taken for fools. Whether the way in which a Speaker should be elected needs to change is a debate for another day – what we saw this afternoon that MPs can withstand a mafia-style hit job on those who stand up to them.

And from that moment of high drama to an altogether different mood and tone – but one that’s similarly heartening for a critic of the Commons. The valedictory speeches from outgoing members – perhaps most notable being that of Gordon Brown – tell tales of battles fought and won, causes championed and people fought for.

It was a reminder to incoming MPs, who will make their maiden speeches in as little as two months time, that if you tell the truth, work hard and speak with passion, you can achieve a great deal in the Commons. As flawed as it is. And as flawed as our MPs are too.