Starmer spends £80,000 making Downing Street look a little less Tory

Since it was created by Boris Johnson over the Covid pandemic, the media briefing room in Downing Street has been resplendent in a rich blue.

But journalists returned after Parliament’s Christmas recess yesterday to find the room looking a bit different.

Gone were the big backdrop featuring a subtle nod to the UK’s Coat of Arms and the navy carpet. In its place, more wood panelling and a carpet featuring a sober grey pattern.