At last, Gordon Brown has achieved his ambition. It’s a significant moment. Until today, Britain had had just three prime ministers in 28 years. (By contrast, we had eight in the preceding 28 years.)

It’s also significant as this is the first time power has passed smoothly between premiers (in other words, excluding electoral defeat and party revolution) since Harold Wilson’s shock resignation in 1976. On that occasion, Jim Callaghan took over – after a Labour party leadership election. That changeover caused my father, Bob Skinner, a problem. Jim was due to open the new Clarence Road bridge over the river Taff in Cardiff Bay. As public relations officer for South Glamorgan county council, Bob had arranged for an impressive plaque with Callaghan described as Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary (and local MP). By the time the ceremony took place, Jim was PM. The plaque had to be changed, and now stands as a reminder of one of Callaghan’s very first acts as PM.