Bosch, Neff – or stick with the Electrolux? The news from Downing Street that Samantha Cameron is to have a new kitchen set Go Remortgage News musing. The kitchens at Number 10, and at next door Number 11, officially the Chancellor’s residence, have played a small but vivid part in political history.
Back in the days of Harold Wilson’s ‘kitchen cabinet,’ the Labour PM was a dab hand with the bottle opener. ‘Beer and sandwiches at Number 10’ became a euphemism for the chummy access given to Trade Union leaders. Margaret Thatcher, who liked to compare home economics with the national version, would cook for Dennis in the cramped kitchen.
But such arrangements have fallen out of favour, with the arrival of growing families – the Blairs, Browns and now the Camerons – at the famous address. They prefer the more spacious accommodation at Number 11. ‘Prefer’ is perhaps too strong a word, with Mrs Cameron reportedly reluctant to move from the stylish, and much filmed, house the Camerons own in Notting Hill, convenient as it is for the children’s schools.
Cherie Blair wrote that her ‘heart sank’ on seeing the 1960’s kitchen in Number 11 in 1997. A so-called ‘friend’ of the Browns confides that the ‘1960’s style’ kitchen suited Sarah Brown’s homely cooking just fine. Sounds like those old Hygena units could soon be listed, if SamCam doesn’t act fast.
When you choose a new kitchen from Wickes or B&Q, say, one decision is whether to go for basic appliances or something more up market. Such choices are a bit of a minefield for a politician in these cash-strapped times. Diagrams sourcing the trendy gadgets in the Cameron’s Notting Hill place appeared in the papers in the early days of his leadership. So it’s hard to imagine them opting for the budget pack of hob, oven and washer-drier.
Wisely the Camerons have let it be known that they’ll be funding some of the improvements themselves. Go Remortgage is very happy to help people invest in their dream kitchen. In this case it may not be appropriate, or even necessary.
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