A Visit To 10 Downing Street

A classics, politics and historical past buff, having lately written an adaptation of Greek Myths for Scholastic UK, I’m unsure there’s anyplace extra thrilling or uncanny to go to than 10 Downing Avenue.

Being invited was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card however after interviewing the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, admittedly, one other shock request, in November, 2025, preceded this particular invitation for a gathering and tour across the 300 12 months previous, Grade 1 listed constructing housing the personal residence of the PM (I used to be understandably not aware about), workplaces, eating rooms and a restaurant, which is generally staffed by civil servants and particular advisors, a few of whom I had conferences with that day. 

Stand out moments (of which there have been many) can be strolling by the well-known, polished black door of Quantity 10, some of the documented doorways on this planet and taking the identical steps as so many Prime Ministers, Presidents and dignitaries earlier than me throughout the doorway corridor. Leaving your telephone by the door, you’re greeted with a big and exquisite picture of the Queen, her son, King Charles on the other wall in a small body. 

Subsequent is the principle staircase the place you might whereas away hours however we had mere minutes attributable to occasions and footfall, observing the black and white portraits of each UK Prime Minister (a number of nonetheless pending akin to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak) on the principle staircase of Quantity 10, which begins the ascent with illustrations shifting into trendy images.

There was additionally an exhibit of Winston Churchill’s well-known leather-based chair, extra of that later and a staggeringly distinctive present from US President Richard Nixon, now on show, of 4 items of the moon! Sure, you learn that proper! 

Final however not least, assembly the sleepy Tabby, Larry the cat was one other memorable spotlight as was sneaking a photograph of him curled up within the window, surrounded by police on the door. What a star. 

Now some historic context to the above: 

Gifted by Sir Edward Hamilton in 1907, the black-and-white portraits of Prime Ministers previous, are shuffled down when a brand new Prime Minister joins and two are presently lacking: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak as they should submit theirs. The PM in workplace isn’t featured till she or he leaves. 

The teeny tiny black moon rock fragments had been a present from Nixon in 1970 after the Apollo 11 mission. Encased in a transparent plastic sphere with a flown UK flag, these samples spent years in a cabinet earlier than being positioned on show. 

Winston Churchill’s iconic high-backed armchair was additionally on present, with ropes round it stopping anybody from touching or worse, sitting on it, in fact. The marks on the arms present just a little put on and tear and certain stress from its most well-known occupant.

Used throughout WWII, this seat represents the strain he little question felt whereas directing the conflict effort. It was used for 115 Battle Cupboard conferences and over 300 Defence Committee conferences and nonetheless appears to be like pretty pristine. 

The Authorities Artwork Assortment rotates artwork work on show with an emphasis on trendy work over historic. Sir Keir Starmer has launched items akin to Covid Nervousness 5 (Masks Dysfunction) and Misunderstood by Donna Coleman, together with Portrait of a Lady (Invisible Virus) by Lisa Fielding-Smith. He famously changed a portrait of Margaret Thatcher in his office with a landscape however we didn’t have entry to view that. He jokingly stated he “may tolerate” an image of former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry on his wall, however “that’s about so far as I am going” as per the BBC. 

Discussions had been had with the Communications workforce for the PM and the Division of Training and I stay up for future interviews and collaborative efforts to share how the federal government are supporting kids and fogeys in addition to girls in enterprise and entrepreneurship, psychological well being and equality within the office, all subjects I’ve spoken about in Parliament through the years at spherical desk discussions and occasions respectively with Ministers in attendance, with a view to share my experiences, assist with analysis, to foster relationships and finest case state of affairs, to help with coverage making. 

A day I’ll always remember, and hopefully not the final time I would go to!