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Outside the giant Christmas wheel in Cathays Park kept moving and so, if rather slowly, did the constitutional cogs and wheels that must turn before power moves from one First Minister to another.

The message arrived this morning from Buckingham Palace: the Queen had agreed Carwyn Jones' appointment as First Minister. He could now go ahead and take the official oath. Senior Presiding Judge for Wales, Mr Justice Nigel Davis - who in all his finery didn't, somehow, look like a 'Nigel' - was on hand to witness the occasion in the First Minister's office in Cathays Park.

Huge table. Small Bible. A typed sheet of paper and a biro that, when it came to it, didn't work.

" I, Carwyn Hywel Jones, do swear that I will well and truly serve her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second in the office of First Minister of Wales, so help me God". Oh yes - our new First Minister is good at this sort of thing. He was clear, statesman-like, neatly laughed off the defective biro. "The best laid plans" he said.

On with the job.

On the steps outside the two Joneses at the top shook hands. This was their first proper photo opportunity, the first chance to smile - and be seen to work - as what you might call a team.

""We know a lot of work has been done with the One Wales government and I look forward very much to continue to fulfil the commitments that are in the agreement, particularly, of course, the good work that has been done in taking the referendum forward." That, in case there's any ambiguity, was Carwyn Jones.

Ieuan Wyn Jones wanted people's lives to improve. "The economic renewal programme is a key aspect of that as we make the Welsh economy more resilient and sustainable going forward" he said before driving home the message on the referendum: "the two of us have committed to make sure the commitments we had in the One Wales document are fulfilled."

Committed - got it? Just the kind of language that was making heads shake at last night's Wales Office reception in London. Was there a feeling afoot, I asked MPs from the side that is in and the side that thinks it'll be in soon, that the referendum might be held on or before 2011 as per the Labour/Plaid deal because .. how to put it ... because they can't not hold it now?

They nodded vigorously. That is how they see it. If they're right - and few supporters of holding a referendum soon would accept that they are - then they'd also be right in suggesting it's not the best reason for holding a referendum. It has, surely, to be for all sorts of other, better reasons. Perhaps here was a sign the new FM and his Deputy ware perfectly well aware of that. 'Improving peoples lives' after all, sounds like a much better reason for asking those people for their vote.

When will we know who's in the Cabinet I called out to Carwyn Jones as he turned to leave. He was working on it. "Watch this space!" he called.

Ah, you know what happens to space, don't you? People do insist on taking a stab at filling it. The latest round has Ms Hutt out, a name next to education - a very loyal one, a woman holding the Whip's job, two North Walian AMs in at Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial level and responsiblity for public service delivery given to someone 'at or near the top.' No mention of Huw Lewis' name but an interesting one as a possible Counsellor General.

The best rumour of all suggests we'll know - and can stop guessing - at around 4pm.

UPDATE

Spotted up in Cathays Park - Carl Sargeant, Lesley Griffiths AND ... Huw Lewis.
Add John Griffiths to the list ... and if you're interested in who might be in key positions behind the scenes, political lobbyist Daran Hill is promising 'exciting news' on his twitter feed.

UPDATE

The 'exciting news?'

Daran Hill of Positif Politics has become a trustee of the Bevan Foundation. Not sure that counts as a 'key position behind the scenes!'

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