Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has revealed the startling reason why 10 Downing Street will likely never undergo a complete, much-needed refurbishment: no sitting Prime Minister is willing to vacate the iconic address for the years required, fearing they may not be in power to return.
The Political Dilemma Blocking Renovation
Brown, who served as Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010, shared the insight during an appearance on Ruthie Rogers's 'Table 4' podcast. He described a scenario familiar to every new occupant, including current PM Keir Starmer. Shortly after moving in, a civil servant presents a plan for essential repairs and redecoration of the historic building.
The former Labour leader explained the conversation that follows. "You say, ‘well, how long is it going to take?’" Brown recounted. "And the guy said, well, you'll have to be out of Downing Street for at least five years. And no prime minister is going to agree to that, are they? Because you don't know if you're even going to be prime minister."
Brown used the example of Liz Truss's brief 2022 tenure, noting she would have agreed to the works but was only in office for a matter of weeks. He stated plainly that in his own case, had he approved such a plan, he would not have been in power to move back in after the hypothetical five-year renovation.
Inside the Ageing Residence
Beyond the political calculus, Brown offered glimpses into the practical realities of life inside Number 10. He confirmed that the famous address does not employ full-time chefs in its kitchen, contrary to public perception. He also emphasised that various parts of the building are genuinely in need of improvement, describing it as a "very old building" long overdue for attention.
The fundamental issue, according to Brown, is the transient nature of political power versus the permanence of bricks and mortar. "The idea that you come in as a prime minister, and the minute you're in, you're advised by the civil service that you've got to leave for five years, and you don't know if you'll ever be back," he said. "So that's why the refurbishment of Downing Street is never really going to happen."
Personal Reflections and an Unusual Introduction to Alcohol
During the wide-ranging podcast interview, Brown also reflected on his childhood in Scotland, growing up in poverty where wartime shortages meant meals often consisted of porridge and omelettes. He shared a particularly memorable anecdote about his first encounter with alcohol as a teenager.
The experience occurred while he was hospitalised after a school rugby injury, where he was kicked in the head during a scrum. This incident later contributed to him losing sight in his left eye while at Edinburgh University.
"At eight o'clock every evening, a trolley came round, and they offered you drinks. Alcoholic drinks," Brown recalled. "I was 16, and you would be offered Guinness, you'd be offered wine, you'd be offered lager, and you could take what you wanted. This was my introduction into alcohol. I knew the health service was free, but free beer... the drink was quite enticing."
The full interview, offering these unique perspectives from a former Prime Minister on life, power, and personal history, is available on the latest episode of Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast.
