‘The old order changeth...’

Sartaj Chaudhary

THERESA MAY had become the second woman PM of the UK. Cameron’s bravura farewell — what a day! Conservative leader for 11 years, PM (twice) for six — not yet 50! He introduced a new style of politics and was far from the cigar-smoking, scotch-sipping orthodox Tory! He was a ‘modern compassionate conservative. He inspired the youth, showed compassion for the elderly, created over a million new jobs, supported new/small businesses and stood for true British values. He encouraged his fellow MPs to concentrate on improving the citizens’ lives and concentrate more on ‘happiness and general well being’ rather than just ‘financial wealth’.

I had written to Cameron on a few occasions before he became the PM. Once, when he was elected the Conservative leader, once when his father passed away and also when his daughter Florence was born. He replied all the times with a personal touch. I wrote to him on May 8, 2010, congratulating him on becoming the PM. I knew he was good at replying to letters, but now that he was PM, how it might change his nature, there is a question! His Director of Communications got in touch with me and was even kind enough to arrange a meeting soon after! In contrast, a complaint to the previous PM Gordon Brown’s office a few months earlier never received a reply! It’s typically English to reply, no matter what! 

I had been a member of the Conservative party since 2008, although it was in 2010 that I met Cameron for the first time. He spoke eloquently, was effortlessly charismatic. In spite of being the PM, he was humble and kind. There was something about good old Dave!

The Queen’s presence is needed for a changeover of prime ministers. She was reported to be on her Balmoral estate. Once she arrived, the prime ministerial cavalcade drove to the Buckingham Palace. May bowed and the Queen said to her: “The duty falls upon me as your Sovereign to invite you to become Prime Minister and form a government in my name…” A ‘yes’ from May made her the PM instantaneously! A police escort transported her to 10 Downing Street, where she was to address the media. 

After being shown her new office and introduced to officials, one of May’s first tasks is to write “the letter of last resort”. This letter tells commanders of the Trident missile submarine patrol on how to respond in the event of a nuclear attack against the UK. First, she will be briefed by the chief of the defence staff. She will then be left alone to write four identical, handwritten notes. The letters — which could include commands such as “retaliate” or “put yourself under the command of the US” — will be stored inside two safes in the control room of each of the four submarines.