10 downing street press office phone number
Early security consisted of two police officers: one stood guard outside the door; the other was stationed inside to open it. 10 Downing Street, the locale of British prime ministers since 1735, vies with the White House as being the most important political building anywhere in the world in the modern era. 3 stars. 10, Downing Street, circa 1754. In the foreword, Thatcher described her feelings for Number 10: "How much I wish that the public could share with me the feeling of Britain's historic greatness which pervades every nook and cranny of this complicated and meandering old building All Prime Ministers are intensely aware that, as tenants and stewards of No. This post covers tours of 10 Downing Street. "Under (Prime Minister) Blair . To reach 10 Downing Street by tube, it's best to reach it by either the Westminster or Charing Cross Station. Tubs of flowers line the steps from the terrace; around the walls are rose beds with flowering and evergreen shrubs. For obvious safety reasons, the public is not allowed to walk on Downing Street, let alone go into the residence of the Prime Minister (PM). Most lent it to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, others to lesser officials or to friends and relatives. Downing, a notorious spy for Oliver Cromwell and later Charles II, invested in property and acquired considerable wealth. By the turn of the 20th century, photography and the penny press had linked Number 10 in the public mind with the premiership. Edward Heath borrowed French paintings from the National Gallery and was loaned two Renoirs from a private collector. [129][104][130] After the Apollo 11 lunar landing in July 1969, Harold Wilson hosted a reception in the room for astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, in addition to Cambridge scientist Francis Thomas Bacon, inventor of the alkaline fuel cell used to generate power for space capsules. Niall Patrick email address & phone number | 10 Downing Street Economic [123]), The largest is the Pillared Room thought to have been created in 1796 by Taylor. 's office, based at 10 Downing Street. the British government; refers to location of Prime Minister's residence [Br. There have been barriers erected along both sides of Downing Street since the 1920s. A few prime ministers, such as Tony Blair, occasionally worked at the Cabinet Room table. Here he is, on May 24, 2019, being escorted into the residence just minutes before Theresa May stood in front of the famous black door and announced her resignation. Audio histories about Number 10 Downing Street, the office of the official residence of the UK Prime Minister [56] In 1783 the Duke of Portland moved out because it was once again in need of repair. [133], When Frederick Robinson (later Lord Goderich), became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1823, he decided to leave a personal legacy to the nation. List of current civil service and senior special adviser positions serving Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: The office was reorganised in 2001 into three directorates: Changes were intended to strengthen the PM's office. Adjacent to St James's Park, Number 10 is approximately 34 mile (1.2km) from Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the British Monarch, and near the Palace of Westminster, the meeting place of both Houses of Parliament. Rome Two years later in 1690, William III and Mary II gave the "House at the Back" to Hendrik van Nassau-Ouwerkerk, a Dutch general who had assisted in securing the Crown for the Prince of Orange. The remaining interior space was converted into a courtyard. Addl. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. That has changed, and now security is very tight, as one would expect for the home of a country's head of government. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. Winston Churchill wrote that Number 10 was "shaky and lightly built by the profiteering contractor whose name they bear". In the committee's report there was some discussion of tearing down the building and constructing an entirely new residence but because the prime minister's home had become an icon of British architecture like Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, the committee recommended that Number 10 (and Numbers 11 and 12) should be rebuilt using as much of the original materials as possible. Walpole commissioned William Kent to convert them into one building. 10, Downing Street: detail of iron balustrading to main staircase, "YouTube Simon Schama's Tour of Downing Street. Lastly, Google made this crystal-clear 360-degree virtual tour of some of the rooms in 10 Downing Street. Review. The garden is dominated by a half-acre (0.2 ha) open lawn which wraps around Numbers 10 and 11 in an L-shape. [134], The room is usually furnished with a table surrounded by 20 reproduction Adam style chairs originally made for the British Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. Jones, p. 89 and see also Soane's sketches of several versions of the State Dining Room on p. 84. secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, This became the subject of public controversy, principal private secretary to the prime minister, Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Downing Street Director of Communications, Political Secretary to the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, "10 Surprising facts about Number 10 Downing Street", Cabinet Office letter dated 9 October 2018, "No. If you are a journalist with a press enquiry or interview request, please email our press office. Prime Minister's Office. Originally three houses, Number 10 was offered to Robert Walpole by King George II in 1732. John Major announced his 1997 resignation as leader of the Conservative Party in the garden. Earlier, the government had taken over the other Downing Street houses: the Colonial Office occupied Number 14 in 1798; the Foreign Office was at Number 16 and the houses on either side; the West India Department was in Number 18; and the Tithe Commissioners in Number 20. 10 Downing Street in London, also known colloquially in the United Kingdom as Number 10, is the official residence and executive office of the first lord of the treasury, usually, by convention, the prime minister of the United Kingdom. Public Enquiries: Online Contact Form. [90], To accommodate their large families, both Tony Blair and David Cameron chose to live in the private residence above Number 11 rather than the smaller one above Number 10. When Margaret Thatcher arrived in 1979 she insisted that the artwork had to be British and that it celebrate "British achievers". 10 Political Office (party political liaison and constituency affairs). 5 stars. No longer "fitted with variety Walle fruit and diverse fruit trees" as it was in the 17th century, there is now a centrally located flower bed around a holly tree surrounded by seats. Number 10 represents an apartment building that is over 300 years old and has 100 rooms. [71] During World War II, Churchill was photographed many times emerging confidently from Number 10 holding up two fingers in the sign for "Victory". Los Angeles [4], For most of its history, Number 10 was accessible to the public. Probably not completed until 1796,[114] this alteration was achieved by removing the east wall and rebuilding it several feet inside the adjoining secretaries' room. Since 1735, it has been home to the UK's prime ministers. There is one exception. 10 Downing Street is Government . Although large, they were put up quickly and cheaply on soft soil with shallow foundations. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Nassau, who Anglicised his name to "Overkirk", lived there until his death in 1708. He insisted that the Treasury should bear the cost of furnishings at least in the public areas. Share. Press Briefing Afternoon 11 June 2012 . From blossom honey to ethical coffee, a number of successful Welsh businesses came to showcase their fantastic produce. Earls, Lords, and Countesses quickly moved into the prime real estate built here although it seems unlikely that Sir Downing himself ever actually resided on the street that holds his name. The double doors behind the table lead to the State Dining Room. [84][85], Although the reconstruction was generally considered an architectural triumph, Erith was disappointed. This structure can be seen today as the rear section of Number 10. The Press Secretary will address the lobby correspondents at 10 Downing Street to give journalists information on events attended by the Prime Minister, as well as current affairs in Downing Street and in Parliament. Miami From 1834 to 1877, it was either vacant or used only for offices and meetings. The front door to Number 10 is most likely the most famous feature of the building. Jones, in letter from Margaret Thatcher used as a preface to the book. The interior wood in the Cabinet Room's double columns was like sawdust. Its registered legal title is held in the name of the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities (the secretary of state is a corporation sole).[5]. [2] Along with the adjoining Cabinet Office at 70 Whitehall, it is the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom. Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 15, 2023 Larry's enduring presence at No. [137][138][139] (See Simon Schama's Tour of Downing Street. One of the most striking and unusual is the already mentioned Chippendale hooded guard's chair that sits in a corner of the entrance hall. [54] While there, Pitt reduced the national debt, formed the Triple Alliance against France and won passage of the Act of Union that created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Prague Downing Street apologised to Buckingham Palace after details emerged of boozy drinks parties, including one for outgoing communications director James Slack. [38], The rebuilding took three years. An Inside Look at 10 Downing Street. Also,Wednesdays between 11 and 11:30 a.m. are good since the PM leaves at this time to head to Parliament. Stanley Baldwin used the Cabinet Room as his office. Tweets. PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 14 January 2023 Until the late 19th century, Prime Ministers were required to furnish Number 10 at their own expense with furniture, tableware, china, linens, curtains and decorations. The small, six-panelled door, originally made of black oak, is surrounded by cream-coloured casing and adorned with a semicircular fanlight window. )[26][55], Treasury officials complained that the building was costing too much to maintain; some suggested that it should be razed and a new house constructed on the site or elsewhere. [15][16] In 1675 he retired to Cambridge, where he died in 1684, a few months after building was completed. [160], In 1985, Number 10 was 250 years old. New York City [28], The Lichfields followed James II into exile after the Glorious Revolution. [163], The Prime Minister's Office, for which the terms Downing Street and Number 10 are metonymous, lies within the 10 Downing Street building and is part of the Cabinet Office. Please note, if you have a media query concerning the Prime Minister or media access to. Originally estimated at 8,000, the final cost probably exceeded 20,000. Some of the original buildings were demolished to allow space to build and expand the Privy Council Office, the Board of Trade, and the Treasury Offices. [41] The name changes according to the colour it is painted. 9. Prime Minister's Office - view and make Freedom of - WhatDoTheyKnow Waving the Anglo-German Agreement of Friendship, Neville Chamberlain proclaimed "Peace with honour" in 1938 from Number 10 after his meeting with Adolf Hitler in Munich. Situated in Downing Street in the City of Westminster, London, Number 10 is over 300 years old and contains approximately 100 rooms. The deterioration had been obvious for some time. Greater transparency across government is at the heart of our commitment to let you hold politicians and public bodies to account. The arrangement became the standard practice. After more careful studies were completed, it was concluded that the "total cost was likely to be 1,250,000" and would take two years to complete. Although he had accepted it on behalf of future First Lords of the Treasury, it would be 21 years before any of his successors chose to live there; the five who followed Walpole preferred their own homes. Runners and riders: 10 Downing Street's new press conference host . Most are on loan. [56] This proved to be a gross underestimate; the final bill was over 11,000. Downing Street - Wikipedia The Data Protection Officer provides independent advice and monitoring of Cabinet Office's use of personal information. His secretary, George Downing, who built Downing Street, is thought to have created these changes. 10 Downing Street is the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister. The new warrant issued in 1682 reads: "Sir George Downing [is authorised] to build new and more houses subject to the proviso that it be not built any nearer than 14feet of the wall of the said Park at the West end thereof". In 1924 when Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald took office, he did not own nor have the means to buy an extensive art collection. They said sure no problem and booked my appointment. 5 . See below for some tips on how to get the best view of the street and door. [75] The interior would be photographed, measured, disassembled, and restored. [131], The Terracotta Room is the middle of the three drawing rooms. [94] (See The Entrance Door c1930: As seen from the outside)[95][96] The door cannot be opened from the outside; there is always someone inside to unlock the door. The building hosts offices, conference, dining, and sitting rooms. [94] (See The Entrance Door c1930: As seen from inside showing the black and white marble floor and the door providing access to Number 11)[103][104], When William Kent rebuilt the interior between 1732 and 1734, his craftsmen created a stone triple staircase. BOOK ONLINE Reserve a Spot on a Guided Walking Tour Now! Henry Pelham, for example, had his own spacious home and had no need for Number 10. Accessed through the first floor, its vaulted, arched ceiling rises up through the next so that it actually occupies two floors. 10 Downing Street in London Number 10 Downing Street is the residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In 1924 when Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald took office, he did not own nor have the means to buy an extensive art collection. Walpole would live there as the incumbent First Lord, but would vacate it for the next one. Asked if there is a record of the calls placed through the Number 10 switchboard, the PMS said that she did not know but would check whether all calls are noted and go back to the journalist. You are mistaken in supposing that Mr. Vansittart is the only Chancellor of the Exchequer who, without being first Lord of the Treasury, occupied it. Click to get Helen Cook's email: h****k@cantab.net Role: Head of Prime Minister's Points of Light UK @ 10 Downing Street, London, United Kingdom.