Lord Richard Walker, former cost of living adviser to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and head of supermarket chain Iceland, has called for the relocation of the UK prime minister’s offices from 10 Downing Street, proposing that the historic building be converted into a museum or residential flats. His comments, made in an interview, highlight long-standing concerns about the suitability of the nearly 300-year-old site as a functional government headquarters.
Walker described the building, which has served as the official residence of the British prime minister since 1735, as “not fit for purpose” and inadequate for modern collaborative working. He pointed to the cramped, multi-level layout that complicates scheduling meetings and hampers efficient operations. “It’s just a Stuart-era building, not fit for purpose. It has tiny, tiny meeting rooms, all on different levels. There are hazards,” he said, emphasizing both its historical significance and its operational limitations.
The 10 Downing Street complex also includes 11 and 12 Downing Street, housing the chancellor’s official residence and additional government offices. Together, the premises accommodate more than 300 civil servants and political advisers. Despite its global recognition, the building’s age and structure have raised practical concerns among officials over the years.
Walker’s view is echoed by others who have worked within Downing Street. Darren Jones, former first secretary to Sir Keir Starmer, criticized the use of a townhouse dating back to the 1680s as the nerve center for one of the world’s major powers, calling it “mad.” Guto Harri, who served as Downing Street director of communications during Boris Johnson’s premiership, described the facility as “hopeless” for effectively supporting government objectives.
The debate about relocating the prime minister’s offices is not new. Jonathan Powell, chief of staff to former Prime Minister Tony Blair and current national security adviser, has expressed regret at not moving the operation to the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, a modern venue nearby that opened in 1986. Historic complaints about Downing Street include poor phone signals, cramped spaces, and offices converted from former bedrooms and servants’ quarters.
Jones has suggested that 10 Downing Street be reserved exclusively for hosting visiting dignitaries and holding cabinet meetings, rather than as a full-time working space. One anonymous official candidly remarked that working within the building is “objectively mad,” describing the premises as outdated and illogical—likening it to settings from a “Harry Potter” story.
The conversation around the future use of Downing Street reflects broader questions about balancing heritage conservation with the demands of contemporary government operations. As government workloads grow and technology advances, the need for more suitable office facilities remains a pressing issue for ministers and civil servants alike.