Fionnán Sheahan: Keep calm and carry on – Keir Starmer takes the UK reins after Tory circus

Election result is reminiscent of events in Ireland in 2011, as are the challenges facing the new cabinet

Prime minister Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria Starmer are applauded by staff as they enter his official London residence at No 10 Downing Street for the first time. Photo: PA

Fionnán Sheahan in Downing Street

The “Starmtroopers” – the Labour Party activists – were planted on Downing Street to wave flags. But outside in Whitehall, up to 1,000 supporters, bystanders and tourists gathered to greet the new prime minister, Keir Starmer. A section of the crowd, led by EU umbrella wavers, burst into a rendition of the Tony Blair anthem Things Can Only Get Better.

The atmosphere wasn’t quite as euphoric as the Cool Britannia era when Labour was last swept to power in 1997, but there is certainly a level of relief that the Tories are out after 14 years of Boris, Brexit and bungling.