The Spectator’s Notes | 15 May 2010

The most moving thing was the photograph of the handshake between the Queen and her new Prime Minister. It is an excellent innovation to allow the ceremony to be seen, because it reminds people how the constitution works. After the days of uncertainty, we needed this more than usual. There is also something touching in seeing this beautiful old lady confer authority on a man who was minus 15 years old when she came to the throne. If it were not slightly unconstitutional to suggest it, I would add that the Queen looked very pleased.

No doubt the mood will pass, but the fact of coalition actually feels more appropriate and satisfying than a small Tory majority would have done. It provides the first government since the war to have had the support of more than half the electorate; and our government just now needs all the support it can get.