That was the week that was

Well, it's been a surprising week and not quite what a lot were expecting. Have to admit I'm very surprised that it's a formal and full coalition government rather than a 'supply and confidence' agreement. Could be a genuinely new era in politics. My observations so far;

• credit where due. All three party leaders were at their best - all 'statesmenlike' and pretty clear and open,
• Given coalition is new territory for Westminster politics we managed to get a pretty quick answer to the government question - credit to the staffers and the Cabinet Office teams,
• Gordon Brown looked a new man - a weight lifted. For once we saw his warmth. Sense he feels a burden lifted and who could begrudge him that? May he enjoy time with his family - for whom he showed real warmth,
• surprised David Cameron has given so much up - five Cabinet posts and various ministerial roles - did he need to? Then again, such a full coalition could be a very clever political move as it could neutralise the 'lunatic fringe' of both parties
• notice how on going to Buckingham Palace Gordon Brown had police outriders and a rolling roadblock, but on leaving he didn't? It's the little things that former ministers will notice in the coming days - no Private Office organising your diary and telling you where you should be, no ministerial car and driver, and for some like the ex-PM, the return to having to sit in traffic jams

Be very interesting to see how the next few weeks pan out!