I recall a cabinet meeting last Saturday, in the Brexit years and before, because of the Falklands war.
In other words, they are rare.
It is about cracking down on government work with a speed and energy.
Standing in Downing Street and talking to ministers – as if to call them up – the first day at the school had a buzz.
An easy smile, time to chat with the security staff, an excitement to grab the red ministerial folder.
The novelty will no doubt wear off on them, and the regime’s slogan will kick in. But this time, at least, they had an awareness of the magnitude of the moment.
It has been 14 years since Labor ministers roamed Downing Street.
It’s been 27 years since they kicked the Conservatives out of office.
A few hours later Sir Keir Starmer looked comfortable and relaxed in his first news conference in the role of prime minister.
Our reporters were taken to the state dining room in the heart of No. 10, rather than the specially designed room in No. 9 built by the last government and especially related to rows about parties during the pandemic.
Things like this don’t happen by accident, and who knows if this government will use the new room on camera in the future, but it was a visual sign of change.
Sir Kiir told us his government would tackle the challenges it faces with what he called “raw honesty”.
He and his ministers have already described prisons and the NHS in England as “broken”.
Let’s see how long they will be patient by blaming their ancestors.
What we will see next – and telegraphed in advance – is a blitz of prime ministerial activity and travel.
If you win the general election, the roadshow of crowds, congratulations, jubilation and smiles does not end with the trip to the polling station.
Sir Keir will travel to Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff in the next day or so and meet with UK mayors on Tuesday.
It will then fly to Washington DC for the annual summit of the NATO Defense Alliance.
An opportunity for the prime minister to meet fellow world leaders – and only presidents and prime ministers should be on a stage.
A week later (in other words, within the next fortnight) is the King’s Speech – the State Opening of Parliament – where the government will set out its planned new laws.
Keir Starmer will then invite around 50 fellow European leaders to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire the next day for a meeting of the new breakaway body known as the European Political Community.
With a lower turnout and a smaller share of the vote than any single-party government since the war – a huge majority after delivering “change” – this administration may have some time to prove it is capable, if it can. distribution.
They are determined not to waste time.
