‘Lady not for turning’ over kitchen

Chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe repeatedly appealed to Margaret Thatcher for permission to refurbish the kitchen at No 11 Downing Street, according to newly-released official files.

Following the Conservatives’ election victory in 1979, Sir Geoffrey was surprised when the first call he received was from his defeated Labour predecessor, Denis Healey.

He was even more surprised when Mr Healey revealed his reason for calling was to pass on a message from his wife, Edna, to Sir Geoffrey’s wife, Elspeth, warning her not to move into the flat in No 11 unless the “antediluvian” kitchen was updated.

But files released to the National Archives show despite months of pleading by Treasury officials, Thatcher was reluctant to give permission for the work to go ahead.

In December 1979, MA Hall wrote to Colin Peterson at No 10 complaining that three months after they had submitted an estimate for £4,150, there had been no response – despite three follow-up telephone calls.

“Not unnaturally, the Chancellor would like to proceed with at least some of this work. I am sorry to nag you about this but time is slipping by,” he wrote.