British PM’s First Day at 10 Downing St. Includes Nuclear Weapons Briefing and Meeting Larry the Cat
After a night of celebration and a brief rest, Keir Starmer stepped into 10 Downing St. for the first time as Prime Minister on Friday, following an audience with King Charles III. This moment marked the beginning of a new reality for Starmer, one where he regularly meets with the King and holds ultimate control over Britain’s nuclear arsenal. Simultaneously, he must adjust to life in the historic 17th-century residence and navigate the challenges of balancing his professional duties with his personal life.
On his inaugural day in office, Starmer is set to receive briefings from senior civil servants on crucial government issues, take congratulatory calls from world leaders, and start the process of appointing his Cabinet. This day will be packed with traditions and responsibilities unique to the role of Prime Minister.
One of the traditions for a new Prime Minister is the welcome they receive upon entering 10 Downing St. for the first time. Household staff and civil servants line the entrance and applaud the new leader and their senior team. This custom serves as an introduction to the people Starmer will work and live with, many of whom were serving his predecessor just hours earlier.
Salma Shah, a former special adviser to ex-Treasury chief Sajid Javid, described this tradition as both a kind gesture and a peculiar experience, given that civil servants often know little about the incoming politicians. During a briefing about the first days of a new administration, sponsored by the Institute for Government think tank, Shah noted, “I’ve often mused over the fact that no one really claps you on the way out whenever you leave your job. So it’s nice, but it is also quite odd.”
Aside from the initial welcome, Starmer’s first day includes other significant moments and tasks. He will undergo a security briefing concerning the nation’s nuclear weapons, a sobering responsibility that underscores the weight of his new role. Additionally, he will start making key decisions that will shape his administration, including the appointment of Cabinet members.
Starmer’s day will also involve navigating the intricacies of his new home and workplace, a building with centuries of history and its own set of quirks. This includes everything from the logistics of moving into a historic residence to understanding the flow of work within the walls of one of the world’s most famous political offices.
As Starmer embarks on his tenure as Prime Minister, he will need to swiftly adapt to the dual pressures of leading the country and managing the practicalities of his new life at 10 Downing St. His initial actions and decisions will set the tone for his leadership and the direction of the government under his administration.