rattling the keys

[thedaffodils]

Cherie Blair last night accused Gordon Brown of trying to drive her husband out of Number 10 - by "rattling the keys" of Downing Street above his head.
She claimed Mr Brown, who was then Chancellor, attempted to force Tony Blair out of power as long ago as April 2004.
In two extraordinary interviews to coincide with the surprise early release of her autobiography, Mrs Blair laid bare the extent of the feud between the two men at the heart of Labour's most successful government.

Hi, What is the implication for " rattling the keys" here? I knew No.10 Downing Street is British Prime Minister's official residence. Thanks!

[BobK]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Hi, What is the implication for " rattling the keys" here? I knew No.10 Downing Street is British Prime Minister's official residence. Thanks!

I've no time for a full answer - lesson this afternoon - but the image is of someone who has a right to possession brandishing his sign of ownership.

(The situation is confused by the fact that GB [as a bachelor at the time] and TB [as father of a growing family] had already swapped residences [since no. 11 Downing Street is bigger than No. 10], though they maintained the tradition of entering by each other's door [TB - 10; GB - 11] . But that's not relevant to the image... or maybe it is - the front door was the final thing to change hands. Hmm... clever... )

b

[thedaffodils]

Good morning there, Bobk. Thanks for your answer!