Tony Blair swept into Downing Street on a tidal wave of triumph yesterday, after the most crushing defeat of a government in living memory. After the final frantic campaigning, the elated celebration on one side and the acceptance of utter defeat on the other, yesterday witnessed a more solemn display of ritual, gallantry and anticipation.

Mr Blair followed John Major to Buckingham Palace, assuming the surrendered mantle of government in a transition of power made with generosity from the victor, and stoic dignity on the part of the vanquished.

Within seconds of Mr Blair setting off on the motorcade to accept the office of Prime Minister, he and his wife, Cherie, sent security officers scrambling when they made an unscheduled stop and leapt into an ecstatic crowd of their Islington neighbours. Mr Blair's car had rolled 30 ft towards Downing Street when the couple told the driver to stop and began shaking hands with the wildly cheering throng. The spectators were delighted, the men detailed to guard the Blairs rather less so.

Seconds later, a Special Branch officer had gathered up Mrs Blair and all but bundled her back into the car. She appeared ruffled - whether from the evident emotion of the occasion or from her first experience of the massive security now surrounding her and her hus band remained unclear. In the park next to the Blairs' home in Islington the police patrolled all night. The bouquets began to flood in - each one minutely examined by security officials.

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After walking along Downing Street and greeting a crowd of party workers so excitedly overjoyed that it seemed the new Prime Minister and his wife might be dragged into their midst, Mr Blair paid glowing tribute to his beaten opponent for "his courage over the last few days and the manner of his leaving - the essential decency of which is the mark of man".

Two hours earlier an equal ly gracious Mr Major had stood on the same spot, wished his successor well and announced his intention to hand over stewardship of his shattered party. "When the curtain falls, it is time to get off the stage and that is what I propose to do," he said. In a characteristic touch, Mr Major added that he would not speak for long, as pressing engagements awaited: lunch at the Oval, and an afternoon watching cricket with his family. He shook the hands of the attending policemen, comfortingly patted that of Brian Mawhinney, the Tory party chairman, and departed the home and position he has occupied for 6 1/2 years.

The Queen, the formation of a Cabinet and the challenges of government awaited Mr Blair, but he would not be prevented from greeting his neighbours and well-wishers - that, too, was perhaps a mark of the man.

Their trip to Buckingham Palace completed, the invitation to form an administration proffered by Her Majesty and accepted, Mr and Mrs Blair stopped their car in Whitehall and walked to Number 10 clasping, double-handed, the hands that reached from behind the packed barriers on either side of Downing Street.

Looking pale, but with passionate fervour, Mr Blair sounded again the keynotes of his campaign and emphasised the "huge responsibility that is on me and the great trust" reflected by his huge electoral mandate. He was interrupted by deafening cheers as he pledged to "govern in the interests of all our people, the whole of this nation".

The Blairs gathered their three children and entered Downing Street to meet the applauding staff. The door closed. A new chapter opened.

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