 This surprised some observers who had expected that Eden's deputy Rab Butler would be chosen.The political situation after Suez was so desperate that on taking office on 10 January he told the Queen he could not guarantee his government would last "six weeks"—though ultimately he would be in charge of the government for more than six years.From the start of his premiership, Macmillan set out to portray an image of calm and style, in contrast to his excitable predecessor.