Benedict Brogan notes this from George Pascoe-Watson in today’s Sun:
The PM has decided to set up an open plan “war room” operation and is moving the heart of Government to 12 Downing Street. His move is aimed at sharpening up his Government and equipping himself to make decisions more quickly in the face of the global financial crash.
Mr Brown is being forced to quit No 10 — Britain’s most famous address after Buckingham Palace — because of planning laws. He can’t knock down walls and re-design it because it is a listed building. The only space large enough to accommodate him and his immediate operations team is 40 yards away in No 12. He will boot out his strategic communications unit and press office, and take over their space.
The PM will sit at the centre of a “spider’s web” of his closest advisers and officials so he can make snap decisions. There he will be surrounded by figures like Permanent Secretary Jeremy Heywood, private secretaries and “gatekeeper” Sue Nye. Recently-promoted Cabinet Office minister Liam Byrne will be installed, along with his deputy Tom Watson and Mr Brown’s right-hand-man Damian McBride.
Mr Brown is copying the idea from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who advised him to follow his open plan operation. Mr Brown saw the layout in Manhattan a fortnight ago and discussed the idea with the Mayor.
