When it comes to doors, I’m open to ideas
Q: Dear Mrs May, I have a dishwasher that is not secure in its spot. If I pull both trays out at the same time, it tips over. I want to secure it with screws to the stone floor, but I am afraid of cracking the granite. I am at my wits’ end. What would you do, Theresa?
Andy, Cheltenham A: Well, Andy, I want a dishwasher that works for everyone, and acts as a driving force, not only in washing all dishes but in offering the opportunity for all dishes to be washed, regardless of their background.
And that’s why I’m determined to ensure that we’ll be looking at the very best way to secure your dishwasher to its spot in a way that offers the best deal not only to the spot but also to the dishwasher. Q: Dear Mrs May, I plan to install a new door between my hall and my kitchen. I’ve never hung a door before, so could use some expert advice from you and your team!
Pete, Godalming A: There are still people who would dearly love to install a new door between their hall and their kitchen, but feel that, for one reason or another, they simply haven’t had the opportunity.
So I want to make sure that anyone who wants to hang a door has the benefit of expert advice, regardless of their background.
And that’s what is going to be the driving force behind the way I deal with this whole question of hanging doors. Q: But how exactly do I hang a door, Mrs May? HOW to hang a door is the abiding theme that I am determined to tackle.
I am well aware, Pete, that there is no point in having a door that cannot be opened. And you might equally say that there is no point in having a door that cannot be closed. At the same time, what this country needs is a door that can both be opened and, in other circumstances, as and when necessary, closed.
We need doors that work for everyone. And that is what I am determined to provide. But how?
My whole approach is to look at the evidence, take the advice, listen. And that is what I am determined to do. As far as speculation is concerned, I think it’s time to close the, er, door. Q: Dear Mrs May, In recent weeks, I have been admiring a neighbour’s new free-standing kitchen ‘island’. Advice, please, Prime Minister, on how to go about installing one in my own home!
Kathleen, Tewkesbury A: I’ve always been very clear about this, Kathleen. It’s all about opportunities.
opportunities for you and your family. opportunities for your kitchen. opportunities for opportunities. And opportunities for opportunities to seize opportunities.
But it’s also about looking across the board. It’s about looking at your kitchen. It’s about looking at all the available ‘islands’.
And it’s about making sure that the particular island you select will fit into the kitchen you already have. I’ve always been very clear that I’m not afraid to put an island in a kitchen when it is the right thing to do. A: LET me be quite clear that what I’ve always been very clear about is that I am determined to be very, very clear about how clear I want to be — clear not only about this, but about everything else that may or may not be clear.
And I am absolutely determined that this question should not be kicked into the long grass. That is not what the long grass is for. And it’s not what kicking is for.
And that’s why I’ve asked Justine Greening to look into the whole question of kicking into and onto the long grass.
And once she’s looked into the question, she’ll be reporting back to me on how best to tackle the answer. Q: Dear Mrs May, Can I use a double-walled 90-degree angle when installing a wood-burning stove?
Bridget, Southampton A: I’m not going to pretend that it’s going to be plain sailing because it’s not.
Plain sailing is never plain sailing.
It’s all about opportunities. I want everyone to have the opportunity to go sailing.
I’m not going to be rushed into a decision about when exactly we set sail.
But when the time has come, then — and only then — will the time have come.
And good luck with your wood-burning stove, Bridget!