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Kissing the Queen's hand: how day one as prime minister unfolds Kissing the Queen's hand: how day one as prime minister unfolds
(about 1 month later)
Even the most assured of all-conquering politicians, a Churchill, Thatcher or a cocky young Blair, relishing their long-imagined moment of arrival at the top of Disraeli’s “greasy pole” of power, feels a sense of awe at the hallowed rituals of the day: the drive to the palace, the kissing of the royal hand, the entry through the big black door, the snappers on the pavement outside, inside the staff’s wary applause.Even the most assured of all-conquering politicians, a Churchill, Thatcher or a cocky young Blair, relishing their long-imagined moment of arrival at the top of Disraeli’s “greasy pole” of power, feels a sense of awe at the hallowed rituals of the day: the drive to the palace, the kissing of the royal hand, the entry through the big black door, the snappers on the pavement outside, inside the staff’s wary applause.
Which of them could not be aware of the burdens of history now falling on them. In war and peace, crisis and calm, they have fallen on every prime minister since the canny Norfolk squire, Robert Walpole, first established the de facto office, became its longest occupant (1721-42) and in 1732 occupied the jerry-built terraced house in Downing Street, handily across the park from King George II who gave it to him. Many prime ministers have disliked the place – and still do.Which of them could not be aware of the burdens of history now falling on them. In war and peace, crisis and calm, they have fallen on every prime minister since the canny Norfolk squire, Robert Walpole, first established the de facto office, became its longest occupant (1721-42) and in 1732 occupied the jerry-built terraced house in Downing Street, handily across the park from King George II who gave it to him. Many prime ministers have disliked the place – and still do.
But the symbolism is irresistible, as it will be to Theresa May when David Cameron returns from his own, more rueful official last visit to his monarch – 90 years old to his 49 – after prime minister’s questions. The Queen will be polite to both of them – she always is – but even if she is the “Brexit Queen” of the Sun’s speculation, she will not be best pleased. PMs come and go, but the Brexit vote’s threat to the unity of her kingdom is a novelty she could do without.But the symbolism is irresistible, as it will be to Theresa May when David Cameron returns from his own, more rueful official last visit to his monarch – 90 years old to his 49 – after prime minister’s questions. The Queen will be polite to both of them – she always is – but even if she is the “Brexit Queen” of the Sun’s speculation, she will not be best pleased. PMs come and go, but the Brexit vote’s threat to the unity of her kingdom is a novelty she could do without.
The kissing of hands is, by all account, more of an air kiss, a relic of the days when the sovereign still called many cabinet-making shots. The Home Counties vicar’s daughter will be less naturally abrasive than was Margaret Thatcher in 1979, six months older than Queen Elizabeth (May is 30 years younger) and even Thatcher was in some awe.The kissing of hands is, by all account, more of an air kiss, a relic of the days when the sovereign still called many cabinet-making shots. The Home Counties vicar’s daughter will be less naturally abrasive than was Margaret Thatcher in 1979, six months older than Queen Elizabeth (May is 30 years younger) and even Thatcher was in some awe.
The pair, who must know each other a little, will make polite small talk with the Queen offering encouragement and even a little advice to her 13th prime minister. But May will also be torn between savouring an exquisite moment – one of only 54 PMs, and just the second woman – and wanting to get on with the job.The pair, who must know each other a little, will make polite small talk with the Queen offering encouragement and even a little advice to her 13th prime minister. But May will also be torn between savouring an exquisite moment – one of only 54 PMs, and just the second woman – and wanting to get on with the job.
She should be back at No 10 within an hour or so. Staff will greet her warmly, both side aware that many tears will have been shed for the departing leader. Some of them will depart too. Power at the top is very personal.She should be back at No 10 within an hour or so. Staff will greet her warmly, both side aware that many tears will have been shed for the departing leader. Some of them will depart too. Power at the top is very personal.
May will formally meet the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood (“Sir Cover Up” to his tabloid critics), who has advised PMs and chancellors for 20 years and will stay on, at least for a transition. Who knows, May may already like or loathe him. Formalities over, briefings will start and continue at a relentless pace.May will formally meet the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood (“Sir Cover Up” to his tabloid critics), who has advised PMs and chancellors for 20 years and will stay on, at least for a transition. Who knows, May may already like or loathe him. Formalities over, briefings will start and continue at a relentless pace.
Related: Theresa May's first job: decide on UK's nuclear response
The secrets of the nuclear priesthood will be made known to its newest high priestess, complete with nuclear button drill. MI5 and MI6 may not tell a six-year home secretary much she does not know, but there will be chilling assessments of the threat from Islamic State and other enemies. The economic briefing (she is a former Bank of England official) will also be mixed, if she is lucky.The secrets of the nuclear priesthood will be made known to its newest high priestess, complete with nuclear button drill. MI5 and MI6 may not tell a six-year home secretary much she does not know, but there will be chilling assessments of the threat from Islamic State and other enemies. The economic briefing (she is a former Bank of England official) will also be mixed, if she is lucky.
Along with everything else, there is Brexit, the challenge which has put her where she now is. And, of course, the work already sketched on notepads on the hoof to reshape the cabinet in her own image. Debts to repay, scores to settle, balances to maintain, phone calls to make or have made on her newly imperious behalf.Along with everything else, there is Brexit, the challenge which has put her where she now is. And, of course, the work already sketched on notepads on the hoof to reshape the cabinet in her own image. Debts to repay, scores to settle, balances to maintain, phone calls to make or have made on her newly imperious behalf.
No prime minister is ever quite so powerful as he or she is on the first day, the party battle won, by cool judgment under fire in May’s case, the slate clean with the electorate. It does not last, but while it does the elation and the energy is exhilarating. New PMs always talk of a new beginning, of righting the errors of their fallen predecessors, dimly conscious someone will eventually say, as Cameron said to Tony Blair: “You were the future once.”No prime minister is ever quite so powerful as he or she is on the first day, the party battle won, by cool judgment under fire in May’s case, the slate clean with the electorate. It does not last, but while it does the elation and the energy is exhilarating. New PMs always talk of a new beginning, of righting the errors of their fallen predecessors, dimly conscious someone will eventually say, as Cameron said to Tony Blair: “You were the future once.”
Few postwar prime ministers have come to power facing such an acute problem as May’s Brexit inheritance – Harold Macmillan after Suez in 1957, Harold Wilson in the miners’ strike of 1974 – but none as serious as Winston Churchill in 1940 with German tanks advancing west. In his memoirs he recorded that he felt “as if I were walking with destiny and that all my past life had been but a preparation”. He slept very well.Few postwar prime ministers have come to power facing such an acute problem as May’s Brexit inheritance – Harold Macmillan after Suez in 1957, Harold Wilson in the miners’ strike of 1974 – but none as serious as Winston Churchill in 1940 with German tanks advancing west. In his memoirs he recorded that he felt “as if I were walking with destiny and that all my past life had been but a preparation”. He slept very well.
May will know that quote too.May will know that quote too.