American Reacts to 10 Downing Street
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2022
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10 Downing Street is a name that is very vaguely recognizable to the average American, but if you were ask us what exactly the purpose of this residence is and its significance in UK culture, you would probably not get much of an answer. I was barely able to recall that this is the residence of a significant figure in British politics, and from there was able to reason that it was probably the Prime Minister. I am very interested to learn and react to what the history and purpose of this famous United Kingdom building is exactly. If you enjoy my reaction feel free to leave a like, comment, or subscribe for more videos like this!
Larry (the cat) is a civil servant. He is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office (official title). He has served under several Prime Ministers and rumoured to be the velvet paw behind the throne. Boris Johnson was ousted just days after the price of Dreamies went up (coincidence?)
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I laughed out loud at this and was laughing so much i couldnt get the words out when trying to tell my mother.
@@mervinmannas7671 I'm glad it made you smile mate
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Just for the record, the Chancellor at No. 11 is the Chancellor of the Exchequer not the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. It's basically the Secretary of the Treasury, who's seen as the second most powerful member of Government.
Also, the door isn't mechanical, there's a doorman there at all times. Interestingly, the door doesn't even have a way to be opened from the outside, so there always has to be someone waiting inside the door to let you in.
Basically the entire building is Government offices.
You can see why when Americans think our royals live in grandiose luxury,
we respond with the fact that the entire Royal family costs far, far less than
American presidents !
I have a photo of me as child in the mid 1950’s standing on the doorstep of No10. I look very small and nervous but I remember being thrilled to be there. Nowadays there are security gates at the end of the street with a guard house.so that photo, taken on a sightseeing walk about with my parents, couldn’t happen now.
is the foreign minister-secretary not the third most powerful member of government after the Queen-King, prime minister? or defence minister?
The door isn't automatic, there's someone on the inside with a monitor. If you look at the tour footage, when they walk through and stop for the first time, you can see a young woman by the door with a monitor in front of her.
He is too funny but we love History!
I could scarcely believe that this narrator hadn't worked out that there would be someone inside to open doors when people arrive ! Of course it would not open automatically.
I do find his remarks rather childish, and he is absolutely right when he claims to know NOTHING about British history, maybe he should read up a bit more before making
these videos. Believe me, you do not KNOW what goes on in Downing Street, based
on your endless remarks. Too much of you, not enough of the subject.!
I saw an interview with Tony Blair (on TV) when he said that the first time he whent to go through the door he wasn't sure what to do no door handle, he said should he knock? Apparently he was relieved when someone inside opened the door for him.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is a door person that opens the door 😂
Childish?! Calm down. Bit rude
I am glad you had a brief glimpse of Larry. He is very special and has a formal title - google him for more. He was a stray and is now a working cat with the usual rights and privileges. Larry remains while PMs come and go. Neil Sean often does his reports in front of #10 so we see Larry often. He once had a set to with a neighbouring cat. Larry won.
You get far more out of the English video’s as they know far more than the American narratives ( nothing against you Americans 🤗but I’d rather have one giving US History 🤷♀️
And chased off a fox too!
Larry the cat is a street cat but was adopted by no 10 Downing street( can’t remember when) now he is the most adored resident of no 10 Downing Street although he now has a new rival. Another street cat who has decided to challenge Larry. Things are spicing up!😂😂😂
Maybe, but! Would Larry's official job title pass over if he lost in a dual? 🤔
@@toddlerj102
No🤣
the whole of Downing Street is a massive warren of interconnected houses. its much much bigger than it looks. Number 11 is officially where the Chancellor lives (although actually at the moment the PM lives there)
Also there are three giant country houses, Chequers for the Prime Minister, Dorneywood for the Home Secretary and Chevening for the Chancellor.
Like this guy says he is expecting all Americans to be as incurious as he has been. We are not all as this ignorant.
It's still a terrace house
@@piusx8317 out front its a terraced house. The front facade is all thats left of original house. Behind its a huge warren of linked buildings
@@martynnotman3467 No. You have a red bricked building attached to the back containing the state rooms. Either way it's still small compared to the Elysee or White House.
@@piusx8317 and several other buildings to either side and corridors to other buildings. 🙄
Besides both those two you mentioned are homes of heads of State. Our Head of State has Windsor Castle which is much, much larger than either.
The PM does have a much more posh home as well, it's called Chequers
Years ago before the troubles in Northern Ireland you were able to walk right up to the door. My sister and I had our picture taken beside the Police Man guarding the door. Since then then there are large metal gates blocking off number 10
There's a permanent doorman who's job is to open the door, even for Larry the cat who has trained the Police Officer on duty outside to knock on the door for him! Number 10 is the PMs working address in London but he/she also has a country retreat called Chequers but don't forget the whole street is basically government property.
Today, there is no definitive Downing Street door. In fact, there are actually two doors which are rotated every six months. The outgoing door is sent for a retouch and repaint before it is reinstalled at No. 10, which explains why it always looks so perfectly shiny. You can see the original door displayed at the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall. Modern ones are metal. Wooden door was deemed insufficient after an IRA mortar attack in the early 1990’s.
Terraced housing is very common in Britain. London is very crowded so to get the most profit out of the land the developer [ Downing in this case] built terraces of houses ( not apartments) for gentlemen to live in.
A lot of buildings in towns in the UK suffered from the constant bombing during World War11. The constant shaking night after night had an effect. After the war even in the 80s we would get cracks appear and some still do now.
Ah yes, David Cameron, down to Earth. The man who while attending university he was a part of a prestigious group of rich boys who enjoyed pastimes such as burning money in front of homeless people.
Yep, Tony Blair is another, his arrest for indecent assault was well covered up, they are all little rich boys and girls. You get the odd working class (normally labour) but they soon lose their roots, 1 example dianne abacus sends her kids to top private schools.
And molesting pigs
Is that true? Sounds like something Trump would do.
@noadlor I'm surprised Trump even went to university. Cameron comes from old money, his family got rich off the transatlantic slave trade hundreds of years ago, he grew up in a palace and is probably the least down to Earth person imaginable.
The technology that supports the door opening procedure at Downing Street ia very complicated. It helps if you have a basic understanding of how a door works. We have examples of doors still in use after almost a thousand years. All work on the same principal of hinges attached to one edge and a latch, or even a lock on the opposing edge. The example at No. 10 Downing Street is no different in it's basic construction and operation. This is where the concept of photography, moving picture imagery and the transmission of television must be understood. In layman's terms - a camera is placed outside the building and focused on the door. The image of anyone approaching the door will be transmitted inside the building, where there will be a man monitoring a television screen. This mans job is to release the latch, thereby allowing the door to open. I hope this helps, you're welcome.
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Gold
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Sadly I've yet to see him reply to information offered by his viewers. So I'm not entirely sure if he is seeking to learn and understand another culture for any more than curious comic relief.
I don't mean to seem overly critical, it's just disappointing to read comments and partake in the comments section when our host doesn't seem to engage with even a personal like.
@@dameinnoble3995 I've thought that too.
Love it🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
There are cats in Downing Street, as always had a rodent problem. Usually rehomed strays.
It's basically an office block with all that has, With a couple of flats/apartments on the top floor. Notice the front door has no key hole etc, it can only be opened from inside.
I guess owning a large townhouse in the middle of Manhattan is "pretty normal"!!??
It is where Prime Minister lives and works, the Prime Minister also resides at Chequers in the country. Number 11 Downing Street is the residence of The Chancellor of The Exchequer. Someone opens the door for The Prime Minister or anyone visiting.
One of the joys of having a monarchy is we put the politicians in their place. '10 Downing Street' is a deliberately ordinary-sounding address, for the Prime Minister to live and work in.
Other commenters have rightly pointed out that you got the wrong Chancellor. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is an ancient position, used by the Government to be a sort of spare Cabinet Minister. The Chancellor of the Exchequer - at present Rishi Sunak - is one of the most important people in the country, and superintends the country's finances. (About 1100 the Treasury literally counted the King's money on a table like a giant chessboard, hence the name.)
In the 1920s, a beautiful 16th-century house, in the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, Chequers, was given to the nation to serve as a weekend residence for the Prime Minister.
It is generally felt that Larry is the most sensible dweller in No.10. They have to have a cat because there's a mouse problem!
Sunak isn't the Chancellor anymore. He resigned over Boris's cluster fucks. The current Chacellor is Nadhim Zahawi.
Zahawi is a kurdish refugee and yet another public school boy. He was one of the founders of Yougov, the Tory survey company. As well as Yougov he made his money through fossil fuels and property and his finances have been investigated by the National Crime Agency - making him the perfect choice for a Tory chancellor!
@@speleokeir Sorry, I forgot that one. The recent change of personnel in the Conservative Government has been rather bewildering!
The Prime Minister has a country residence "Chequers" 40 miles north west of London but in general the "bling" is kept for the Royal Family who carry out the formal and ceremonial duties, while the sleazy politicians are left to get on with the day to day running of the country.
They didn't mention the no.10 pussycat (yes they did, just got to that bit - Larry), he's the real owner, and the police officer opens the door for him, just as he does to visiting dignitaries, when Mr. Cat requires to be admitted. Sometimes he sits outside the door watching the world go by and the smug expression on his face says 'Just look at me, I live here, this is ALL mine, purr purr!'
Also the preferred choice as next prime Minister being the most intelligent and competent of the candidates.
Larry for PM!😸
@@speleokeir Yippee!!
@Tt tat Whoops, sorry, used incorrect title!
The PM also gets to live in Chequers, a large 16th century manor house.
That is like America's camp David
But grander.
This isn't about country residences
Perhaps you may wish to look at the 'Yeoman Warders' better known as 'Beefeaters' who guard the Tower of London and give guided tours; their sense of humour is legendary.
It also takes me about 20 seconds to commute from my bedroom to my office too. 😂 🇬🇧 my office is my home ever since beginning of covid..
Look up Sir George Downing. He had the houses built for which the Street is named after. He was one of the first students at Harvard.
If you watch Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, British sitcoms but will give you a good insight to British politics.
Grandiose palaces are reserved for the Head of State which is the Queen. And in the US case, it’s the President. The President and the prime minister are not equivalent positions. The US President is Head of State and Head of Government. In the U.K. these roles are split. The Monarch is the head of state, the Prime Minister is the Head of Government.
The prime minister exercises the powers of the head of state but he/she isn’t the official head of state, the monarch is.
When PM Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis were invited to Balmoral Castle in Scotland to spend time with the royal family, they were (as most post war prime ministers) completely confused. The thatchers were middle class people socializing with upper class people - I am sure this happens with many prime ministers. They may live in Downing Street but the actual living quarters are probably much like living in a big middle class house attached to an office building.
Ive really been enjoying these British videos, well done taking the time to learn some interesting foreign things. I'm Australian and curious if you would look at similar videos on the Land Down Under?
That would be interesting, we share similarities in our constitutional structure but the creation of Canberra itself is interesting and the Aussie parliament building is amazing and I don't know much about The Lodge.
Yes, I agree that would be good for us Aussies.
A bloke called Ryan Was has something similar but about Australia.
It probably wasn't an automatic door at all. No doubt a butler or an "on duty" British bobby, heard them approaching the door and opened it, in cool British style.
Actually Downing Street has an official receptionist who opens the door for you. It’s not a butler, or a policeman.
@@ianroper2812 oh ok, thanks for the clarification.
Love your reaction to all our British traditions and official houses. Good on the policeman for letting them know to open the door for Larry the cat.
Unless my history of this has been misremembered ... 'Prime Minister' was actually an insult used by the opposition originally meaning something akin to 'The Puppet of the King', hence 'First Lord of the Treasury' being a more accepted title at the time and being on the plate on the door to no_10. Also there are no keys to that door. There's someone employed to exclusively open it from the inside
Tyler, you need to understand that the Monarchy has been around in various forms for over a thousand years. During this time is has had its ups and downs and evolved in a variety of directions most of which have been recorded in history. Along the way it has acquired various traditions, properties, etc. and part of that evolution was the separation of power between the Head of State, and the Government. Since the 19th Century the prerogative powers of the Monarch have been devolved by convention to the Government.
This was exacerbated by the accession to the throne of King George I when Queen Anne died in 1714. He was the King of Hanover, which is now part of Germany, he never lived permanently in any part of the British Isles, nor spoke English. Even his son King George II was born and grew up in Hanover.
At that time there was no such title as Prime Minister. The head of the Government was the First Lord of the Treasury (aka at that time as Chancellor of the Exchequer, although that is now a separate office) now known as the Prime Minister.
Robert Walpole is known as de facto First Prime Minister of Great Britain. On 3 April 1721 he was appointed First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons.
So, by comparison the role of Prime Minister is far more recent, was potentially available to anyone who had the right to vote. It was not a lifetime or heredity role.
You seem to find it very difficult to separate the evolution of a separate Head of State (the Monarchy over many centuries) from the Head of Government (the Prime Minister since about 1721)
Your head seems to be fixated on the US President being Head of State and Government. The USA only became independent in 1776.
The USA DECLARED independence in 1776 but it took them until 1783 to win their war of independence. And it wasn't until 1787 that they had a constitution.
Number 11 Downing Street is where the Chancellor of the Exchequer lives, Number 12 is where the Chief Whip is.
There is a clip where the police officer opened the door for Larry only for Larry to turn and walk away. He has an official job title - Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office - basically pest control.
There are two senior posts in the cabinet, the Chancellor of the Exchequer - responsible for finance and the Home Office - responsible for the Police and Law and Order...
There's a third, the Foreign & Commonwealth secretary of state.
@@dicem8977 Their not really at the same level in the hierarchy. When there's a leadership challenge it comes from the Chancellor or Home Secretary. The Foreign Office whilst powerful is not as publicly perceived as a primary post.
The 2 most famous addresses in the world are:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC (residency of the President of the United States of America)
#10 Downing Street, London, England (residency of the Prime Minister of England)
The prime minister lives and works out of number 10.I've been to London once and we sat on the wall opposite number 10 its only a narrow road we got told to get down by the policeman on duty . I was only 30 at the time
I have never been to number 10, but attended a reception at number 11 ( 50 years ago). It was large and quite grand inside.
ten downing street has a nice garden at the rear with a back gate so the outgoing PM can load up whilst the new PM can unload in downig streeet to come in via the front door.i used to cut yhe grass in there many years ago
The title of 'Prime Minister' comes from 'Primus inter pares' which translates to 'first amongst equals'. Its a recognition of the fact that the PM isn't a monarch, but is more the chair of a government. Downing Street is suitably lacking in grandiosity compared to eg. Buckingham Palace (where the residing monarch is considered to have more prestige than the government that rules in their name).
The actual number 10 on the door isn’t a 1 & a zero. It is a 1 and the capital letter ‘O’. The top of the O is tilted to the left by 37 degrees. The story goes that the workman putting the number on the door didn’t have a zero, so he used a letter instead. And didn’t fix it to the door very straight. There are variations of the same story. Now every time the door is renovated a letter O is painted on with the same 37 degree orientation.
Although the video didn't make it very clear, Downing Street is far more than it appears from the outside. Not only is it home to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (who is basically the minister in charge of finance and regarded as the second ranked minister in the Cabinet) but is also the workplace of around 200 staff, among whom was numbered my brother-in-law.
What we see from the outside is the frontage of the original dwellings erected by what we might now term a property speculator--George Downing built these properties 'on spec' rather than at the commission of some client. What lies behind is a maze of offices, most a lot less grand than the Cabinet Room, manned by civil servants and political advisors along with the usual support staff such as caterers, cleaners, security and, of course, the person who opens the door! Around 200 people work in Downing Street, among whom was numbered my brother-in-law.
At the top of the building are the private flats of the Prime Minister and Chancellor. As was said in the video, traditionally, the Prime Minister occupies the flat above No 10 but in recent decades they have actually used the No 11 flat as it is somewhat larger and some recent incumbents have had young families--something that was not anticipated in the days when few reached the post before their 60s!
The Prime Minister has one other official residence, the country house, Chequers, which was given to the nation by its owner in the early twentieth century. The house itself dates from the 16th Century so is considerably older than Downing Street.
Number 10 is huge inside and has various underground tunnels leading to parliament.
If you actually watched and listened to the video you would get all the answers to the questions you pose before watching the video
If you have watched his previous items you will realise that his ability to take in the information first before commenting is non existent.
It's a completely gated community and they have police with Machine guns. On guard constantly.
Didn't used to be. When I was young you could simply walk into Downing Street, stand in front of the door of No 10 and have your photo taken. Times change.
It’s the position right next to Whitehall that’s the important thing about no 10.
His country house is Chequers which is used for weekends and official functions.
No 10 is huge and if it were to be sold as a standard house it would be worth at least £10 million.
you cannot open the door to number 10 from the outside it can only be opened from the inside
So how did the very first person to enter 10 Downing street manage to get inside?
probably when they were installing the door, also apparently there is a connecting door to number 11 but not 100% sure on that
10 Downing Street was a bit of a speculative build, built on a mud floor with poor foundations over a swamp, although designed by Sir Christopher Wren (architect of St Paul’s Cathedral). Lots of houses were thrown up for profit in those days. 10 Downing Street was three houses, stables and a cottage built next to an original building that was a mansion built in the 1500s as Whitehall Palace was then nearby. Hence the main road nearby is called, “Whitehall”. Sir George Downing, a spy for Cromwell and Charles II, built these three houses and the additional buildings. Spying must have been profitable as he built a few houses and left money to set up Downing College, Cambridge. King George II offered these three houses to Sir Robert Walpole, unofficially the first prime minister although he held the title of First Lord of the Treasury. He brought in William Kent to redesign the complex. All big names then. Only recently have prime ministers lived at number 10. Tony Blair’s wife has a baby whilst living at number 10, making 2 adults and 4 children in the family. As the flat at number 11 was bigger, they did a swap with Gordon Brown the then Chancellor who lived at number 11 and didn’t have children. Ever since the PMs have lived in number 11 and Chancellors at number 10.
Never have I seen and individual who miss understands just about everything….. here he is!
David Cameron went to one of the most expensive and privileged schools in UK. Resigned after lost a referendum to leave EU. Bye!
The only permanent resident of no 10 Downing Street is Larry the cat 🐈. Yes the prime minister definitely lives there and the chancellor lives next door at no 11 Downing Street
The chancellor is in charge of the treasury ( finances)
The door isn’t automatic but it is blast proof and bullet proof and was replaced after the IRA mortared Downing Street in the 80s.
The chancellor or the exchequer is the equivalent of the U.K. finance minister. The chancellor is considered the Queen’s second minister and so also lives in the chancellery at number 11.
There is a tunnel linking Downing Street to the ministry of defence headquarters opposite on Whitehall and from there the prime minister has access to Pindar - the government emergency war operations centre deep in the bowels of the earth.
The back garden of Downing street backs onto horse guards parade. A military parade square in central London made famous by the trooping of the colour every year.
The passageway between Downing street and the cabinet office next door was the original passage used by Henry VIII to access his real tennis court and the original Tudor court walls are still visible from the original place of Whitehall.
There is a tunnel used by Churchill from Downing Street to the basement of the treasury where the World War Two cabinet war rooms are located. And from there you can continue underground to the Houses of Parliament or Westminster tube station.
Most prime ministers work in number ten but live and sleep above number 11 as that grace and favour flat is much larger and grander than the one offered to the prime minister in the attics of number 10.
The prime minister of the U.K. is also given chequers an enormous country mansion / Manor House with pool tennis courts hundreds of acres to ride shoot fish walk all in privacy and has enough rooms for all the staff security cooks etc etc. Most PM leave Downing Street late Friday and return early Monday preferring the weekend at chequers.
The Downing Street door is made of blast-proof steel, but mimicking the style of the original wood one. There is no way of opening it from the outside and the automatic part is powered by elbow grease 😉
Actually it’s one of the advantages of a monarchy. If we want to be patriotic we can praise the monarch as much as we want because he/she has no power so there’s no conflict.
Politicians on the other hand, can be abused as much as we want. We are not being unpatriotic, they are “just” politicians!! There to be battered and bashed as much as we want. And they don’t live in palaces, or White Houses.
I was meaning to point out that they did not mention Larry and there he is at the end. He is very important.
Part of the unspoken reason for the comparatively humble home compared to royal palaces is the same reason the PM is supposed to report to both the monarch and parliament every week - keep them grounded. Its like how Roman leaders would have someone to remind them "remember you are mortal" - try and deter megalomania and dictatorial tendancies setting in.
the priminister is afforded a certain amount of luxary but because they’re not head of state like a presedent is, they just get a fairly decent house. The queen is still technically the priministers boss so she gets much more luxury
?
10 Downing Street is pretty extravagant. It is almost exactly the same size as the White House inside. A corridor leads from the back of the house to a huge building behind. The frontage is deceptive.
24 Sussex Street is the Prime Minister of Canada residence. It's in renovations so he and his family are living in a cottage house near Rideau Hall (the Governor General residence). He has offices near Parliament Hill.
The Opposition leader has also a residence. His office is near Parliament.
Number 11 is the Chancellor of the Exchequers house. The whole street is government buildings and is gated off.
There is a two bedroom apartment for the PM in number 10 and a bigger apartment in number 11.
Remember that until the late 19th century, most Prime Ministers would have had their own London house and probably a country house too..The
In the 1960s the building was in such bad condition that there were proposals to demolish it.
The Prime Minister, like your President, doesn't own Number 10, it's quite a big town house, with the P Ms flat on the topfloor. If he's in London he's supposed to be there. They generally have their own house or apartment elsewhere in London, and also a country house or two. There is also a useful country house for official entertaining, owned by the Government,
at Chequers. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is in charge of the country's money, but number 11 goes to whoever has the position at the time, and they have to move out when the government changes.
You hit the nail on the head Tyler the space behind the frontage is huge. it is however a very British thing, Grandiose and ostentation are not aspects expected of government officials, the people elected them to serve, not live in the lap of luxury paid for by the tax paying public, America take note!!
Our Queen is our Head of State, the Prime Minister is the head of government and we keep our government in its place in case it gets to big for its boots. No Palace for them.
You have to remember, our politicians went to private schools that charge prices like Harvard, but give the kids bad food and cramped accommodation with no heating. They're used to modest living.
Number 10 is big enough for a family with 5 children (if the children share rooms) and has offices and dining rooms and sitting rooms to court politicians and diplomats.
And it's slap in the middle of London, a short walk from parliament.
To be fair, even though the building doesn't look extravagant for a prime minister, it's a Georgian townhouse which are deceptively big inside and highly coveted in Britain. Plus, given its location it is worth around £5.5 million
About 200 people work there… There is a full office part which you haven’t seen.
I visited a couple of times myself.
It’s linked to the Cabinet office as well. That’s the office which is the coordinating part of the government.
Ten Downing Street is the London residence of the P.M. they also have an official country residence:
Chequers or Chequers Court, is the country house of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. A 16th-century manor house in origin, it is located near the village of Ellesborough, halfway between Princes Risborough and Wendover in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. It is about 40 miles (64 km) north-west of central London. Chequers has been the country home of the serving Prime Minister since 1921 after the estate was given to the nation by Sir Arthur Lee by a Deed of Settlement, given full effect in the Chequers Estate Act 1917. The house is listed Grade I on the National Heritage List for England.
The address is often referred to as 'Number Ten.' in news reports. Most adults here know the rest of the address, and many know that the Chancellor of the Exchequer can be contacted via 11 Downing Street.
He has a giant place in the country called Chequers, also Rishi has his house with a swimming pool in Yorkshire. It is handy there for Parliament in London though There's an automatic man behind the door lol, the technology is a camera and a door knocker.. Larry has seen many Prime Ministers come and go
If you've ever seen interior shots of the White House, US Presidents also live in a 'museum'. It's full of furniture and paintings which date back to the 19th century and even earlier. The First Lady is traditionally in charge of the decor, but she can only change things after a lot of consultation with officials. Jackie Kennedy very famously made a lot of changes in the early 1960s, involving various artists and designers, which are now museum pieces in themselves.
The PM does also get Chequers - a 16th century country house. Downing St has the advantage of being just round the corner from Parliament.
You jump to too many conclusions before you’ve given the video chance to play.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the top money man in the Government. Most MPs have a second London residence to be near Parliament when it is in session, because they mostly have to vote in person.
The door opens because there is a man standing behind it. No technology involved with the door opening. Also, it cannot be opened from the outside. 10 Downing St always has somebody inside. The road is closed off to the public but when I was a child it wasn't. You could just wander down the street. My parents have a photo of me standing on the doorstep, next to the police man. I was around 5 years old and I think I had a broken arm.
Back in the day I was able to walk down Downing St. As a kid defo. Now they have huge gate with guards etc.
There are very few " stand alone " houses anymore in the cities in the U.K. most are town or row houses now due to space limitations...it is an island so big homes are not common at all even historically. Most older style homes don't even have built in closet's.
oops, there is also another residence he holds whilst in office called Chequers. this is a large stately house. Used for entertaining of foreign dignities, this house is about 40 mins drive from London and its is in Buckinghamshire.
Number ten is the Residence AND office of the Prime minister. This is where he, and his chosen Cabinet, discuss political problems and othe issues. Built in the 17th century, it was gifted by the owner, George ? Downing, which the street was named after. With a Long History, it's best to Google it yourself.
There is no way an average person would be able to live in that area or that sort of property. Worth millions and millions of dollars. Central London.
fun fact ! there are no keys 2 number 10 ! if you look close there is no front door lock ! but there is always a nice-ish policeman 2 announce you arrival !
Gates first appeared in,1920, but we're taken down in 1922, it was completely gated permanently during the residency of M. Thatcher in1989.
The Chancellor, who's main London Residence is Number 11 Downing Street, is the second highest ranking member of the Government. He/she (although we have never yet had a female Chancellor) is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Exchequer is effectively the Finance Department. He is the money man. Nothing to do with the Duchy of Lancaster.
Just as an aside, and to hopefully confuse you some more. The word Duchy refers to a Dukedom. A Duke is the highest form of Nobility/Aristocracy after Royalty. A Duke is the male form. A Duchess is the female form. A member of the Royal Family can also be given or inherit Dukedoms and other titles. Check out Prince Charles' full name and titles in addition to being Prince of Wales.
To continue... the title of Duke of Lancaster is held by the reigning Monarch. In the current instance this happens to be Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the fact she is a woman she holds the male title.
The person delegated to manage the Duchy on her behalf is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. A royal appointment, not governmental.
By the way, the first Duke of Lancaster was John of Gaunt, the 3rd son of Edward III. It was the aggro between his descendents and those of the 2nd son, the Yorkists, which led to the Wars of the Roses. Henry, the son of the Lancastrian heir Margret Beaufort, (who married a chap called Owen Tudor) won the final battle of the war to become King Henry VII. He proceeded to marry Elizabeth of York, the eldest daughter of the Yorkist King Edward IV, thus re-joining the Houses of York and Lancaster in their offspring. Also Henry took the opportunity of re-acquiring the Dukedom of Lancaster for himself and all future monarchs.
And Owen Tudor was Welsh. So we've had a Welsh Monarch (Henry VII) from a son of Owen and Margret),
PMs usually have their own private homes. No 10 Downing Street and it IS the office of
Government! Your Presidents love to live in huge grandeur, actually No10 is huge inside,
it is the entire street. We save our showing off for the Castles and Palaces used by the
Monarchy !
10 Downing is much bigger and grander than it looks. In typical British style inside it is huge and palatial. The PM also has Chequers.
David Cameron was the guy that was called "Dodgy Dave" by the old man in the house of commons
Chancellor is the what you would call secretary of the treasury.
you have to remember the President is your head of state. The Queen is our head of state and lives in a suitable palace/castle. The prime minister lives in No 10 and its a nice building now its been done up.
It is grandiose inside. The Prime Minister also has use of a country house called 'Chequers' which is very grand.
Building goes back a long ways its massive with dozens of offices... there are apartments in there for them to stay in the week then they go off to their massive country homes at weekends
Cats have names, his name is Larry and he is chief mouser. And ,yes, the policeman's job is to let Larry in, because he's Larry and he out ranks the officer😁
'The Chancellor' mentioned is not Kit Malthouse as he holds a different post it is 'The Chancellor of the Exchequer' which is like the U S 'Secretary of the Treasury'.
that building has survived the war. Its actually takes up a whole block and i believe the foreign office is on the other side of the road. The prime minister lives over No 11 and he has the use of Chequers, a country home in the country for weekends. The chancellor of the exchequer lives at no 11. Prime Minister lives at NO 10.
To understand how the UK maintains a stable government administration, we have a Civil Service which is apolitical and non-partisan, and non-politically appointed - which is very different from the USA. The CIvil Service (comprised of public servants at every level covering every aspect of government and society) translates the elected Government aspirations into policies and actions, and manages their delivery. This provides consistency and a 'stabilising influence' that guides, enables and challenges the elected individuals in their roles as ministers leading their departments., using their insight, expertise and experience. This is another useful counter-balance in our system as it doesn't change when a government changes after an election, the same people remaining to carry-on the job whichver political party is in power, which totally differs from the USA.
Suggest you watch 'POLITICS - The Civil Service - David Walker'
Try " Yes Prime Minister ". Its a 1980s situation comedy set in Downing Street. There is a lot of truth in it.
Margaret Thatcher's favourite.
@@grahamthomson6969 Indeed! Once there's an understanding of the role of the elected politician taking on a government minister's job, and the role of the civil service + the dynamic ('tensions') between the two - then there's a greater chance our American friends will appreciate the humour and not pause the video every other second with confusion and multiple questions, misunderstanding roles, power play etc.
The Prime Minister also gets a stately home in the countryside called “Chequers”
The major repairs to 10 Downing St reminded me of the White House reconstruction in the 1950's: the building was in danger of collapse, but Bess Truman wouldn't move out. She only did so when an engineer told her that the 2nd floor only remained standing through force of habit. From Tyler's comments about 10 Downing St, I rather suspect he is not aware that the White House was essentially all but rebuilt 70 years ago.
FYI the first person to bear the official title of Prime Minister was Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (1905-1908). He was also the only Prime Minister to have died at No.10.
As for this video, without wishing to sound patronising (and I am married to an American) Tyler's limited knowledge is so typical of American parochialism but sadly also true of so many young people generally.
The Prime Ministers live and work at no.10, but also have the use of a country estate called Chequers. The Chancellor lives at No.11 Downing Street.
London was built that way. Many rows of terraces were built speculatively as London grew.
Larry lives at number 10 and is considered an official government employee, the chief mouser
You could try just watching for a few seconds at a time. Then most of your questions would be answered before your eyes.