Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor, sat nodding and smiling beside her Leader, while perhaps contemplating how she could have given the PM a harder time.
His determination to promote more women may have a knock-on effect on the biddability of male Tory MPs.
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“Javid has already seen one SpAd fired. The Prime Minister may push to dismiss at least two more…which he would resist. This one may not end well.”
But is a system of government whereby all power is concentrated in Downing Street likely to result in that power being well used?
We cheer the mission. But government needs more compromise, art, tact and accomodation than campaigning alone allows.
Grasping this nettle will involve appointing someone prepared to be considerably less popular with sections of the gallery than was their predecessor.
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Setting aside the Ulster-specific sections, the proposals for reviving Stormont pledges frictionless trade with the mainland and a commitment on legacy prosecutions.
There will be some bruised personalities on the backbenches who will need careful managing over the next few months, and I hear that Spencer is already on the job.