Enjoy it while it lasts ‘PM’ Boris
of the spotlight. This is traditionally silly season (except when it’s the Olympics).
So as you’re in charge why not invite the medal-winning Olympians back to No10 for a barbecue in the garden? I can’t believe your government hadn’t planned a welcome-home parade for our Olympians.
My third tip is to remember you’re always on call.
I remember celebrating Christmas at home in Hull in 1998 when we heard the terrible news about the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean. I knew as the senior minister on duty I had to return at once to Downing Street to help co-ordinate a response.
It’s in these times of crisis where your response and input are vital.
I set up the first emergency Cobra meeting (named after the place we’d meet, Committee Briefing Room A) following the 7/7 bombings.
It was the day after we’d won the 2012 Olympics and Tony was in Scot- land at the G8 meeting of world leaders and I was chairing the Cabinet. When an event like that happens, you have to take the lead and make split-second decisions.
My fourth bit of advice is never blindly accept “expert” advice. Always challenge it.
On one occasion a Met Police Commissioner said he wanted my permission to clear a whole street in Forest Gate at 2am during an antiterrorism investigation. I refused as I felt after listening to their case it was completely disproportionate and would have inflamed racial tensions.
My fifth tip is to have regular catchups with the boss. Tony and I would speak daily, at one time from a yacht in the Mediterranean.
We discussed a leak on the front page of the Independent from a private meeting I had with London Labour MPs when I said, “George Bush was crap”. Tony said: “You’ll be popular in the PLP now.”
So to sum up, enjoy the experience. It’s a great honour.
I doubt May will leave you in charge on a regular basis. And it may be the closest you get to running the country.
But at least you can say you finally made it to No10.