To think that the Houses of Parliament should be replaced

This government is so fond of privatisation maybe they could get the H of P sponsored by some private companies . So it could be the EDF Commons , or the Harrods House of Lords. Toilets sponsored by Tampax or Andrex. Bars run by Weatherspoons or Starbucks. .

Have you people no sense of history? It is a beautiful building. Besides the we Scittish parliament cost so much more than they thought. Visitors from abroad akways want to see our parliament. I live in a 1660 house and love the history of it and the folk who lived here. No thank you I find new buildings in London very ugly. Sorry.

We people certainly do have a sense of history Royandsyl. I wonder what made you think we don't - have you read the thread?

Brilliant ideas Granny23! I have said for ages that they should just have use basic apartments or premier inn rooms rather than second houses and all the associated expenses and fiddles. Perhaps the bedsits could just have single beds too and we could avoid some of the extra marital affairs!

Cannot understand why we are subsidising alcohol either. We know we have a problem with alcohol in the U.K., so why don’t they set an example by making Parliament alcohol free. Surely most people don’t miss their jobs with booze?

Just wish they would get on and do their jobs.

Out town hall is slap bang in the middle of town GGM2 so ideally positioned and very accessible to all. It is a beautiful building inside and out. It is now very popular as a wedding venue too (we have a separate register office). My gripe isn't about the money spent on refurbishing the building or the ornate fittings inside it is the money spent on luxurious extras that really weren't necessary.

The present poor state of the buildings is due to the failure of successive administrations to face up to it. Repair and modernisation is essential as the costs now relate to many, many years when the work should have been done. The bright side should be that renewal waould allow up to date systems and accommodation.

This is far better than some new construction that will almost certainly be an eyesore. Scotland's example does not inspire. Wales' is simply for show and the business is done in two separate buildings. What we have at Westminster is world renowned and recolgnised.

I didn't suggest knocking the building down. It's a stunning building and tourists love to see it. But is it fit for purpose as a meeting place/offices for our Parliament in this modern digital age? I don't know the answer. I simply wondered which would be more expensive renovating it and trying to drag it's facilities into the 21st Century or changing it's use and building a new Houses of Parliament that is fit for purpose.

So much anti-London feeling always - it is our CAPITAL you know. Which other countries have their parliament in somewhere other than the capital. And I would keep the Houses of Parliament -exactly where they are.

More than anything I can't think how it helps to have the HoP in London and this is probably the only chance to rectify that.

Keep, restore, and refurbish it for modern use is my vote. They should have history sitting on their shoulders. Somebody, someday may learn from it. That building is too symbolically important to this country to let go. It's a survivor and a beautiful building too in a lovely setting.

I think parliament needs a modern building which is like several other parliament buildings in other countries - they are circular or semi circular, and encourage people to connect in a more positive way. The current chamber is designed to promote attack and confrontation - we need something which promotes connection and shared commitment to positive outcomes for the country. Within that there can and should be disagreement and challenge - but we have had enough of ugly fighting. The existing building could be renovated and then used for the public benefit - maybe include a gallery, a place for talks, a museum - perhaps a hotel and conference centre. There are lots of possibilities. The new parliament building could be fit for purpose and promote democracy.

Well, I like the Scottish Parliament building, so there. London may be the UK capital, Nvella, but it is still a long way away from a lot of the population and expensive to travel to. We need a bit of lateral thinking, and I'm with Granny23 in her wish to get Parliament closer to the centre of the country (that's the UK currently, not just England).

I'm not anti London Nvella, I am anti London and the South East - just so we get it correct.

Great ideas. It would certainly give the chance to root out some of the old ridiculous practices and expensive ways of doing things. It would save on energy and accommodation costs as well as saving on time with digital voting. I am concerned that we could be spending billions and billions on repairing the current building, which would still be unfit for purpose, and then still have huge maintenance costs going forward.

It’s not just about geography though is it,? and are you counting the channel islands, Gibraltar and other overseas territories in your calculations? More people live in London than the whole of Scotland , so if parliament was there it would be more remote for more people than it is currently.

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!

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.

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.

...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?

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

How very mean of you BRedhead

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.

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

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.

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?