Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A significant decision looms for members of the UK Parliament regarding the future of the Palace of Westminster. Substantial maintenance and restoration work, costing billions of pounds, is urgently needed to address the building’s deteriorating condition. The question now is whether MPs and peers should temporarily vacate the historic site to enable these essential repairs.
Concerns about the state of the building have been voiced by various political figures. Lord Dobbs, a peer and writer, paints a worrying picture, remarking that the Parliament building is “just waiting for some disaster.” He advises visitors, humorously but ominously, “If they see somebody running please don’t stop to find out why they’re running, just follow them.” Echoing this urgency, former Labour minister Lord Hain compares the situation to the tragic 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, warning, “The Commons could burn down at any time.”
Warnings about the waning condition of the Palace of Westminster are not new. A parliamentary committee report from ten years ago highlighted an impending crisis, cautioning that the building could soon become uninhabitable without major remedial work. Despite the passage of time, pressing safety hazards such as falling masonry, asbestos, recurring fires, and even exploding toilets persist. However, agreement on how best to undertake the renovations remains elusive. Various options are under consideration, including a full temporary relocation of both Houses of Parliament, a partial move involving only the House of Lords, or carrying out staged repairs while the building remains in use—a choice likely to extend the timeline substantially.
Early next year, parliamentarians are expected to review a report from the Renewal and Restoration Client Board, comprised of MPs, peers, and laypeople, which will outline the updated costs, risks, and benefits of each approach. Past estimates indicate that a full evacuation could cost between £7 billion and £13 billion, potentially requiring MPs and peers to be away from the building for up to two decades. Partial relocation or continuing work while Parliament remains operating in parts could increase costs and extend the project duration to several decades. The final decision, following government scheduling of a vote, will rest with MPs and peers themselves.
Support for a complete decant is strong among some, such as Lord Hain, who insists that previous studies found this to be the most cost-effective option and lamented years of delay as “a terrible advertisement for parliamentary democracy.” Baroness Smith, the government’s senior Minister in the House of Lords, acknowledges the impracticality of repairs
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.