BRITISH prime ministers hold their cabinet meetings at a coffin-shaped table. Quidnunc discovered this on Wednesday, when John Major met a small group of Irish correspondents in Downing Street. Seated at the angle, with his back to the fireplace and under a portrait of the first British prime minister, Robert Walpole, ensures he can clearly see all of his 22 ministers. On Wednesday he was flanked by two secretaries (male), who took copious notes and politely brought the hour-long briefing to an end by snapping their pens, shifting uneasily, sending memos and eventually raising a hand to call halt.
For security purposes, Downing Street is now fenced off at Whitehall so the public can no longer gaze in the door of No 10. Inside, the visitor passes through two elegant hallways adorned with portraits of former PMs and city landscapes, and proceeds down a long hall to the cabinet room.
On Wednesday Mr Major stood at the door in his pink shirt sleeves shaking hands as the hacks arrived, and did the same as they left. The coffin table is covered in brown baize and no fewer than five windows look out on the gardens behind.
The PM was affability itself. He went over much of the usual security and political ground, and referred occasionally to John (meaning Bruton).
The Presidency of the EU was a tough old job, he said everyone took it up with huge enthusiasm and laid it down with equal enthusiasm. There were many cliche's but a great willingness to address everything thrown at him and even to debate a point.
The Home Secretary, Michael Howard, waited outside for his audience. Ireland and bombs were probably on his agenda.