To think that the Houses of Parliament should be replaced

I would hate to think that a Parliament building would be constructed that looked like a giant library or health centre, and situated on the edge of Solihull or Blackburn.

I have been there too, it is a lovely building. I love all the pomp and circumstance, it is part of our history. True the building is in dire need of repair but please, please don't replace with some faceless, modern pile.
Monica I do hope you are joking.

Tadcaster has a smell of hops over it quite a lot of the time - perhaps they would make the MPs a little more laid back. It flooded badly and one side of the town has only recently been reconnected by road to the other one so they could do with some increase in business. Quite handy for York which has a very good train service - and it has a nice wool shop. Loads of history that could prove very interesting all round the area.

I must admit that Tadcaster wasn't quite equi-distant from all the capitals but I thought it sounded suitable
There was also a battle there in the Civil War
And HS2 is due to go near there I think

DH did some fancy stuff with a compass - and wanted to know why I needed to know.
He has gone off to the pub looking perplexed when I told him I was trying to find a suitable spot for the new Houses of Parliament.

Last Tango in Halifax is the closest I have been to that town.

Jalima It has taken me a wee while with a map and a piece of string but I have worked out that the answer is HALIFAX. Confirmed via Wikipedia, Halifax is approx 170 miles, as the crow flies, from Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff, and London. Also, coincidentally 170 miles from Dublin.

Does anyone from that area know of a suitable site?

Tadcaster?

Definitely agree that HoP should be further north, say, Stoke on Trent. So that she's on the doorstep, Her Maj could move to Cheshire, somewhere like Altrincham maybe. Let's have the centre of operations closer to the majority of the people it serves. Accomodation should be Premier Inn style. None of your second homes allowances and all that nonsense. See those flying pigs....

Nothing like a challenge!!

Jalima there seem to be more than one way of working out the 'centre' but they all seem to come out as into the north of England or even further north.

Suzied it is very easy to create most of the wealth if most of the investment comes your way. Why is the lack of equality of investment in infrastructure, etc., in other parts of the country, "a different issue". Not all those in the midlands or the north have been 'left behind' by any means but those that have been would certainly be better under a more centrally focused government as would the those who have done well.

Would a new location be like Canberra where there was much heated discussion over where the capital should be located?

Beautiful but soulless.

That was to the measuring post.

Jalima as McEnroe used to say ‘ you cannot be serious, man!’

I was thinking of all the preliminaries that would be required, all the arguments discussions involved, another cause of dissension in the country and thought it would be easier to renovate the present Houses of Parliament, abolish the HOL and have an elected Upper Chamber.

The House of Lords is an anachronism in a democratic country.

I was trying to work out the equi-distant point from all the other capitals GracesgranMk" but I would need to draw it out on a map - unless anyone else knows?

Yes, they should sell off the Houses of Parliament and move it further North and central - past Birmingham at the minimum! A brand new purpose built building would cost less than the upkeep and renovation costs are going to be and it would have extras such as conferencing by video link etc. Heating and lighting costs would be less and there would be no need for MP's to have a second home in London either! I am sure there is a Saudi Prince who would be delighted to take it off our hands.

Wherever the M.P's work, we cannot destroy that beautiful building and what would happen to Big Ben ?

One reason more people live in London is that London creates most of the wealth in the UK and far from hanging onto it is a net contributer to the rest of the UK economy. Many jobs which service the wealth creators are consequently also located in the South East. I agree this has created an imbalance in the regions and many areas justifiably feel “ left behind” by governments over the years. But that’s a different issue. Just moving the HoP somewhere else wouldn’t be the answer. London is the capital city for long historical reasons and unless the UK splits up, which it might do , who knows, it should stay there.

How very mean of you BRedhead

....Oh and the second house (Lords) should be democratically elected - people could stand if they had excelled in their chosen profession.

...and make them work 9am to 5pm like most of the population. I would not provide a bar or restaurant and there certainly wouldn't be votes at night. A creche would be provided for parents and an office each with space for a clerk. I would ban second jobs and insist they work for the country or their constituency at all times.
I would preserve the palace of Westminster for tourists and do it up a bit at a time. Without the MP's they wouldn't need such complex infrastructure. Perhaps the behaviour would improve then?

The Houses Of Parliament will be wonderful when restored,
And could be in no other place, than where they are, by the river. You are right CardiffJaguar things should have been put right ages ago.

A lot of people live in London because they like it, and quite rightly, what a buzz it has.So many historic buildings, bridges, museums , magnificent parks etc.I would live there if we could afford it, so much to do and see.
A friend has just chosen to retire there, for those very reasons.We have been going there for the day whenever we can.

One of the reasons more people live in London is because they hang on to all the investment that actually belongs to the whole of the UK which, unless I have missed something, does not include channel islands, Gibraltar and other overseas territories!