"Last week, a critical meeting between the prime minister and his more than 400 MPs plus assorted peers (who total another 800) happened in a room only big enough to accommodate 170. Consider that the Commons chamber itself seats only 430 of the total 650 MPs. That same day, exhibition boards went up around parliament explaining the restoration and renewal options for the Palace of Westminster. They are expected to be voted on as early as March."
"One scenario has MPs relocating to different bits of parliament's footprint while the works are executed, occupying the House of Lords during the redoing of the Commons chamber. There is precedent for this during the blitz when the House of Commons was bombed; many a Churchillian line such as we will fight them on the beaches was uttered from the red benches of the Lords rather than the Commons' green benches."
"Neither option comes cheap. It would be an estimated 8.4-11.5bn and take 19 to 24 years for the full decant, whereas staying put would come at a whopping 11.8-18.7bn and take somewhere between 38 and a staggering 61 years. The Palace of Westminster has been my workplace for 11 years. I love it dearly. But it desperately needs an urgent upgrade."
Parliamentary facilities are overcrowded, structurally inadequate, and suffering chronic vermin problems. A meeting of the prime minister with over 400 MPs plus about 800 peers was held in a room for 170, while the Commons chamber seats only 430 of 650 MPs. Restoration options include staged relocation across the parliamentary estate or a full decant. Full decant is estimated at £8.4–11.5bn and 19–24 years; remaining in place would cost £11.8–18.7bn and take 38–61 years. The Palace of Westminster requires an urgent and extensive upgrade to address safety, capacity, and infestation issues.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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