Boris and Carrie’s new arrival reflects a growing spirit of optimism
The birth of a new baby boy to Boris Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds is the latest event in a climactic year for the Prime Minister. His triumphant accession to the leadership, a barnstorming general election victory and Britain’s departure from the European Union have accompanied divorce, engagement, pregnancy and now yesterday’s happy news. All of which left the Prime Minister facing a decision in his personal life as tricky as any of those he comes across at work.
“The naming of kids is a difficult matter/ It isn’t just one of your holiday games” (to misquote TS Eliot) but filled with endless possibilities, especially when you’re the PM. The bookies were yesterday suggesting Dominic as a contender at 25-1; a neat way of honouring two of the PM’S key lieutenants. My own preference would be for “Jeremy”, in a nod to the man who did so much to put the PM in No10. Sadly, even in these extraordinary times “Brexit” never crept above the long odds of 1000-1.
Growing up at No 10 will be a fascinating experience for Boris and Carrie’s son – and there are many recent precedents.
Both David Cameron, whose daughter Florence was born in 2010, and Tony Blair, had babies in office. It is remarkable really, considering that when Leo Blair came along in 2000, he was the first son to be born to a sitting prime minister in 150 years, a tiny symbol of Blair’s “Cool Britannia” break with the past. Gordon Brown mainly kept his two little boys out of the limelight during the family’s time at No10, but his emotional exit, walking down Downing Street arm-in-arm with wife Sarah and his lads, was a sweet postscript to his short tenure.
None of which is to say that there aren’t pitfalls to being in British politics’ first family – such as the unwelcome attention on formative moments. Think of poor Euan Blair, who wound up in Charing Cross police station after being found drunk in Leicester Square, or even Nancy Cameron, who may not recall the full details of being left in a pub by her absent-minded father, but will have the newspaper clippings to prove it. Such concerns might seem a way off for Boris and Carrie’s new arrival, but there’s every chance the Tories will still be in power when he reaches his teens.
Cynics may regard the celebrations over the birth of this child as an example of the “bread and circuses” feelgood gesture at which the PM excels. But the new arrival is far more significant than that, particularly in these uncertain times, when we crave comfort and the warm glow generated by puppies, kittens and newborns to lift our spirits.
The Royal family understands this better than anyone. Last week, an enchanting photo of Prince Charles smiling beatifically as he cradled his grandson Prince Louis in his arms melted the heart of even this child-free hack.
The PM’S recent experience has in some ways mirrored that of the nation at large. His stint in intensive care, at a time of spiralling death rates across the country, was universally alarming. It seemed unimaginable that this energetic “Merrie England” premier could be so stricken, and it brought home the gravity of the situation.
The birth of a new baby, just when we appear to be over the worst, similarly reflects a growing national optimism. For now, Baby Johnson is a welcome symbol of hope.
Madeline Grant on Twitter @Madz_grant; read more at telegraph.co.uk/opinion