Newly minted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was "overcome with emotion" when he delivered his maiden speech on the steps of Number 10 Downing Street this afternoon.
The Labour leader, 61, has wasted no time since his stomping majority was officially confirmed this morning, and officially stepped into his new Whitehall residence just after 1pm to form his cabinet. Moments before, he had delivered remarks promising "stability and moderation" following the seismic shift away from 14 years of disastrous Conservative rule.
Now, a body language expert has suggested that the reality of his party's win only dawned on him as he left the podium and stood at the frontdoor to Number 10. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Judi James said the Prime Minister appeared "almost overcome" with emotion as the truth appeared to be "kicking in".
She said: "Standing on the step of No10 with his arm round his wife, Starmer appeared at one moment to be almost overcome with emotion as though the truth was just kicking in. He hugged his wife closer and whispered to her to wave before the couple disappeared through the door of No 10 to be greeted with warm applause from the teams inside."
While Ms James caught the PM's inward joy and realisation, Sir Keir looked outward as he gave his speech at Downing Street today, pledging to serve the general public. He built on his campaign-defining "politics as a public service" mantra as he promised his party would show what a "force for good" it could accomplish over the next five years.
But at the same time, he acknowledged the damage the last 14 years have done to the perception of Britain's political class and the uphill battle his cabinet would face. He said: "This wound, this lack of trust can only be healed with actions, not words, I know that.
"But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgment that public service is a privilege and your government should treat every single person with respect. Whether you voted Labour or not, especially if you did not, I say to you directly, my government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good. We will show that. We changed the Labour party, returned it to service and that is how we will govern."