Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, revealed that the full refurbishment of 10 Downing Street is unlikely to occur as no PM wishes to vacate it for an extended period out of uncertainty about returning. Brown, who served as PM from 2007 to 2010 after Tony Blair, highlighted the lack of full-time chefs at Downing Street and the pressing need for upgrades in various areas of the building.
During a podcast with Ruthie Rogers, Brown reminisced about his early life in Scotland, recounting a childhood marked by poverty and wartime food shortages where porridge and omelettes were staples. He also shared a personal anecdote about his first encounter with alcohol as a teenager, which happened while he was hospitalized due to a rugby injury that left him blind in one eye.
Reflecting on a pivotal moment during his hospital stay, Brown recalled being introduced to alcoholic beverages at the age of 16, courtesy of the evening trolley service. He humorously noted the allure of free drinks in the health service setting, emphasizing that while the food was lacking, the availability of alcohol was intriguing.
Moreover, Brown touched on the challenges of Downing Street’s refurbishment process, mentioning that no Prime Minister would agree to vacate the premises for an extended period, as uncertainty looms over their future tenure. Despite acknowledging the necessity of repairs and redecoration due to the building’s age, the logistical hurdles of relocating and the possibility of not returning deter PMs from approving extensive refurbishments.