By Mario Cacciottolo
BBC News |
  The mayor-elect was surrounded by media and onlookers |
"I'm sorry, but you're late", says the shaven-headed press officer outside City Hall. It is fully 15 minutes before Boris Johnson is due to arrive to be sworn in as mayor of London, but such is the interest that the press places are all taken up, according to those who handle such matters. Arguing over time is clearly not going to work, so there is nothing else to do except join the considerable masses that have gathered on the South Bank to await Boris' arrival. The crowd is five-, six-deep in places, pushed up between the crash barriers and the edge of the Thames, bathed in mild but warming sunshine. A tall black man pushes to the front and starts shouting abuse. A British National Party member, apparently the subject of his outburst, can be seen walking away from the building's entrance. The police have a word with the protester, which draws a few grumbles from the crowd about him "only expressing his opinion".  |  He's a character and he's been in politics a long time, despite the stupid things he's said sometimes |
But we're all here to see Boris. Happily another of the press officers takes pity and allows me to join the photographers loitering outside the main entrance. Seconds later there's a cry. "He's here!" and those wielding their cameras all rush over to a spot at the crash barriers. Suddenly, amid long lenses, television cameras and flashes, can be seen the most famous hairdo in politics. Boris moves along the barrier, crushed by the press, and looks very pleased. He is totally surrounded by the press, and cannot really go anywhere. "Boris! Boris!", cries a press officer, grabbing my arm for some unexplained reason. The victor is now surrounded by his aides and press officers, who are battling to keep the snapping hordes under control. Boris shuffles this way, then that, then moves forwards, his every move mimicked by the clicks and whirrs of cameras. 'Hungry party-goers' He still keeps smiling throughout and despite a couple of questions peppering the air, does not say a word. Finally, somehow, he makes it to City Hall's front door, and a line of suited men stand firmly in the way, like bouncers to a posh nightclub, keeping the snapping hordes at bay. But it is not over yet, as the new mayor can still be seen inside, meeting people who are lined up to greet him. This sparks off yet more excitement among the press outside, who press their varied equipment up against the glass, like hungry party-goers not invited to the banquet. Then it all calms down, and the crowd begins to dissolve, the buzz with them. Among the watchers was Vikki Bailey, 28, on a sight-seeing trip to London from Canterbury with three friends, who included the capital's new mayor on their list. "We were actually here to see Tower Bridge, and thought we'd be nosy and come and see Boris," Vikki explained. "It's topical, it's headline news so it's worth witnessing. "He's a character and he's been in politics a long time, despite the stupid things he's said sometimes. He still commands respect." | He's a real risk for the Conservatives, but he's taking it seriously now |
Vikki said the mayoral appointment was good for politics as it had generated people's interest in elections once again. "He's not dull, and he's interesting as a character. You see more of his personality than you do with other politicians." Vikki and her friends head off towards Westminster, and most of the crowd has gone by now. But determinedly hanging on is Tim Bunting, 33, who had come all the way down from Nottingham for a day trip just to see Boris. "I made the decision last night when I saw David Cameron's reaction to Boris winning. He looked so pleased and I didn't think he would. "I've been caught by the buzz, Boris is a real character and represents a change in the nation. People have been jaded but he's got them interested again. "He's a real risk for the Conservatives, but he's taking it seriously now. And it's always healthy to have change in any party."
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