[h=1]A lesson from history: How thrifty PM Maggie paid 19 of her OWN cash for an ironing board (while Cameron blew 30,000 grant on improving Downing St residence)[/h]
She was already known as the Iron Lady. And Margaret Thatcher was quick to demonstrate her uncompromising style just months after her 1979 election victory.
Details of spending on Government accommodation were revealed without her prior knowledge, including 1,836 8,300 in todays terms on renovating the Prime Ministers 10 Downing Street flat.
Although the sum was relatively modest, Mrs Thatcher, a keen advocate of financial discipline, was clearly unimpressed.
With the country in the grip of a recession, she was so annoyed at the decision to spend 19 of public funds the equivalent of 85 in current money on an ironing board for the flat that she volunteered to pay for it herself.
Mrs Thatcher also told civil servants she could provide her own crockery and sent back unwanted bedlinen, noting that she and her husband Denis used only one bedroom.
After reading the breakdown cost of the refurbishment, which included 536 for cleaning carpets, 25 for laundry linen and 123 repolishing furniture, the Prime Minister immediately took exception to much of the spending, noting in blue felt-tip pen: I will pay for the ironing board and other things, like sufficient linen for the one bedroom we use. The rest can go back into stock.
Her careful attitude when refurbishing her official residence revealed in previously secret files released by the National Archives yesterday contrasts with the current Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, who gave his home at 11 Downing Street a lavish Notting Hill-style makeover.
'I find these figures impossible to believe': This undated National Archives handout shows a 10 Downing Street expenses form in which Margaret Thatcher, the then prime minister, has commented on in the margins
He spent the entire 30,000 annual maintenance grant on improvements for the flat, which is bigger than the quarters at No 10 and more practical for a young family, as well as an additional 34,000 from his own funds.
Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha renovated the small 1970s kitchen and installed a second kitchen, and oversaw a lavish bathroom refit.
Almost three decades before the MPs expenses scandal, Mrs Thatchers hand-written notes reveal a much more cautious attitude to spending, and her wariness about how the details of the refurbishment could be interpreted.
She was appalled that more than 650, equivalent to more than 3,000 in todays money, was spent on replacing linen and crockery in her official accommodation.
Beside the costings sent through in June 1979, a civil servant noted: I find these figures impossible to believe.
'We will ask property services for a much more detailed breakdown.
Once again, writing in blue pen, a shocked Mrs Thatcher notes: So do I! I could use my own crockery.
Downing Street also sent an angry letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment for not consulting them first before publishing the details.
The departments private secretary replied on June 26, 1979: I am afraid that we simply did not pick up the need to consult you specially. I am sorry that this happened.
The 1979 papers were released yesterday because they form a sequence with others from 1981, which became due for publication under the 30-year rule.
Margaret Thatcher: With the country in the grip of a recession, she was so annoyed at the decision to spend 19 of public funds - the equivalent of 85 in current money - on an ironing board for the flat that she volunteered to pay for it herself
A tale of two PMs: Margaret Thatcher pouring tea in the kitchen of 10 Downing Street from her own crockery to save on costs. David Cameron spent the entire 30,000 maintenance grant on improving his 11 Downing Street residence
Look at the size of the kitchen !!!
Cameron lives at 11 Downing Street, even though his official residence is 10. Reason it is bigger. Blair started it,because he has 4 kids. No 11 is more child friendly !!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...hatcher-paid-19-cash-ironing-board-No-10.html
She was already known as the Iron Lady. And Margaret Thatcher was quick to demonstrate her uncompromising style just months after her 1979 election victory.
Details of spending on Government accommodation were revealed without her prior knowledge, including 1,836 8,300 in todays terms on renovating the Prime Ministers 10 Downing Street flat.
Although the sum was relatively modest, Mrs Thatcher, a keen advocate of financial discipline, was clearly unimpressed.
With the country in the grip of a recession, she was so annoyed at the decision to spend 19 of public funds the equivalent of 85 in current money on an ironing board for the flat that she volunteered to pay for it herself.
Mrs Thatcher also told civil servants she could provide her own crockery and sent back unwanted bedlinen, noting that she and her husband Denis used only one bedroom.
After reading the breakdown cost of the refurbishment, which included 536 for cleaning carpets, 25 for laundry linen and 123 repolishing furniture, the Prime Minister immediately took exception to much of the spending, noting in blue felt-tip pen: I will pay for the ironing board and other things, like sufficient linen for the one bedroom we use. The rest can go back into stock.
Her careful attitude when refurbishing her official residence revealed in previously secret files released by the National Archives yesterday contrasts with the current Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, who gave his home at 11 Downing Street a lavish Notting Hill-style makeover.
He spent the entire 30,000 annual maintenance grant on improvements for the flat, which is bigger than the quarters at No 10 and more practical for a young family, as well as an additional 34,000 from his own funds.
Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha renovated the small 1970s kitchen and installed a second kitchen, and oversaw a lavish bathroom refit.
Almost three decades before the MPs expenses scandal, Mrs Thatchers hand-written notes reveal a much more cautious attitude to spending, and her wariness about how the details of the refurbishment could be interpreted.
She was appalled that more than 650, equivalent to more than 3,000 in todays money, was spent on replacing linen and crockery in her official accommodation.
Beside the costings sent through in June 1979, a civil servant noted: I find these figures impossible to believe.
'We will ask property services for a much more detailed breakdown.
Once again, writing in blue pen, a shocked Mrs Thatcher notes: So do I! I could use my own crockery.
Downing Street also sent an angry letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment for not consulting them first before publishing the details.
The departments private secretary replied on June 26, 1979: I am afraid that we simply did not pick up the need to consult you specially. I am sorry that this happened.
The 1979 papers were released yesterday because they form a sequence with others from 1981, which became due for publication under the 30-year rule.
Look at the size of the kitchen !!!
Cameron lives at 11 Downing Street, even though his official residence is 10. Reason it is bigger. Blair started it,because he has 4 kids. No 11 is more child friendly !!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...hatcher-paid-19-cash-ironing-board-No-10.html
