The German elections resulted in an unsurprising second place for Alternative for Germany yesterday. It won 152 seats on the back of 83 in 2021. The near doubling of its tally took in all five East German states.
The Christian Democratic Union meanwhile took first place with 164 seats. It’s an increase of 12 since 2021, but 42 less than the Social Democratic Party won last time. It will need a coalition to govern with.
Now the dust has settled on another election year, it’s victor Sir Keir Starmer has to set down to work.
His work is mostly set before him already. He’s got to fulfil the duties of any ordinary Prime Minister.
He will do the rounds of Cabinet meetings. He will turn up to Prime Minister’s Questions on a Wednesday afternoon. He’ll also attend speeches, events, and launches of key or signature policies.
It’s a lot to do. He’s got his work cut out as the UK’s busiest politician.
In the meantime Nigel Farage will barrack him from the back benches (where Reform UK will likely end up). Also other upstarts will take their opportunity to make a mark in UK politics.
It’s left to him to make sure he gets it right. A promise of ‘change’ is easy to say but hard to deliver.
Today, he appointed his ‘war’ cabinet.
Angela Rayner has taken second place as Deputy Prime Minister as well as the new Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Ed Miliband is the newest Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Sir Patrick Vallance – who cut his teeth during the Covid pandemic – is now the new Minister of State (Minister for Science) in the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology.
These are key appointments, as is Rachel Reeves – Labour’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The way ahead is set out for Starmer already. All he needs to do now is make a success of it.