No. 10 Downing Street

No. 10 Downing Street in London off Whitehall is the official residence of the British Prime Minister. It is a five minute walk from the Houses of Parliament.  The name Downing Street owes it's origin to Sir George Downing, English statesman who lived in England in the 17th century. He was a close companion of Oliver Cromwell, then Lord Protector of England. It was Downing Street where earlier there was a place for making beer, ale. A portrait of George Downing still adorns the living room of this building. Robert Walpole, Prime Minister of Britain in the mid 18th century ,was the first resident of this prestigious mansion. In fact he was effectively acting as the 1st Prime Minister of the country since King George I of Britain had too little knowledge of English language. George was Elector of Hanover, Germany, before becoming King of Britain under the terms of Act of Settlement. He left the administration of the government to the ministers, a practice which initiated cabinet government in Britain. Robert Walpole then a senior cabinet minister started presiding over the cabinet meetings in the absence of the king. He came to be known as Prime Minister, chief member of cabinet holding executive power. King George I offered Robert Walpole the historic building - No.10 Downing Street as a personal gift which the latter declined. Rather he suggested to the King that the building might be made available to the First Lord of Treasury for living. King George I accepted the suggestion and Robert Walpole, who was also the First Lord of Treasury, moved to No.10 Downing Street in 1735. Robert Walpole resigned in 1742 and the historic mansion remained unoccupied for sometime. Then it played host to several high dignitaries of the government.  Later on it was occupied by Prime Ministers George Grenville (1763 - 65) and Spencer Perceval (1809 - 12). The regular occupation of No.10 Downing Street by British Prime Ministers began from the period of Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister of Britain (1902 - 5). Over the years No.10 Downing Street has been renovated on the two or three occasions. It has been the nerve Centre of key decisions affecting the course of events in world history . Today No.10 Downing Street symbolizes British traditions reflecting the culture of the English speaking people in a large measure.