Downing Street moments before the arrival of Prime Minister David Cameron. Photo: James Hall
In the twilight moments of a momentous day in Westminster David Cameron became the Prime Minister of Britain’s first ever Conservative / Liberal Democrat coalition government. Hotly followed down Whitehall by people of Lewisham on a 53 bus, the new PM returned from Buckingham Palace and moved into 10 Downing Street. East London Lines reporter James Hall, a first time voter from Lewisham, decided to join the crowds on the other side of the media tents and balconies and witness history in the making. He saw Mr Cameron met at the gates by a crowd of upbeat and amicable protesters as well as supporters, the world’s press, heavy police presence, and a few confused passers-by. Security kept the crowd behind barriers of tape but there were no disturbances beyond a few megaphones and discreet banners. In fact those with megaphones were mostly using them for their own improvised stand-up routines rather than unrelenting protest.
As the sun set and the night closed in, the excitement of the moment was celebrated in the nearby pubs of Westminster’s political village, the crowds kept their vigil in Whitehall and outside the gates to Downing Street. The 24-hour media village remained camped out on College Green next to Westminster Abbey generating a babble of analysis, discussion and 24/7 news channel banality. A busker serenaded those making their way out of Whitehall by 11pm, but it was not until half past midnight that Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister in the new government, finally emerged from Liberal Democrat meetings to begin his new job with a concise and positive speech. In the early hours of the morning official Cabinet positions started to be released, including Theresa May (Home Secretary), William Hague (Foreign Secretary), Ken Clarke (Justice Secretary) and Vince Cable (Business Secretary).
Throughout today further posts have been confirmed and documents released to outline the specifics of the coalition agreement. Liberal Democrat policies regarding inheritance tax and a referendum on political reform have been agreed upon, as have Conservative policies on non-EU immigration capping and the Trident nuclear missile programme. Lord Ashcroft summed up the results of the coalition agreement with an unexpected triumphant cry of “hooray”.
Meanwhile at the Labour Party, following yesterday’s resignation of Gordon Brown, steps are being taken to elect a new party leader as soon as possible. Harriet Harman and Alan Johnson have both confirmed that they will not be running. As deputy, Harman will only be holding the position of leader until the imminent election of a permanent replacement. Many Labour MPs, as well as Alastair Campbell and bookmakers, have cited David Miliband as the favourite for the job. It is unlikely that he will go uncontested, however, with his brother Ed Miliband and Ed Balls likely to be in the running. 48 hours of British political history captured through the lens and microphone of James Hall who picked up a 53 bus home to Lewisham:
