To think that the Houses of Parliament should be replaced

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.

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

That was to the measuring post.

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

Beautiful but soulless.

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.

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.

Nothing like a challenge!!

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....

Tadcaster?

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?

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.

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

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 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.

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.

We went to see a debate in the Houses of Parliament last week and I would be greatly saddened to see it go. Yes, it is archaic but it is the most wonderful building and is definitely worth keeping. However, in this day and age, there is no reason why there shouldn't be a satellite back office if required.

Come back Guy Fawkes? Only joking. I wasn't really thinking of pulling it down. Just selling it off and moving to a more central location is an excellent idea.

Don't forget MPs have a beautiful new building for offices and meetings - Portcullis House at a cost of £235 million - and that has had to have nearly £500,000 of repairs to the glazing in the atrium. Oh yes, and they were criticised for spending £40,000 on renting fig trees for the aforesaid atrium! But it's only money - and they do a good job!

Ah yes, a new build:
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-may-sue-firm-that-built-portcullis-house-over-roof-damage-a6914491.html

riverwalk It would happen if some people on GN got their way!

My vote's for Halifax. It's a nice place set in beautiful Yorkshire countryside. All that wonderful scenery and clean air might have a soothing effect on MPs and be quite life enhancing. And not having all those cultural diversions, theatre, galleries, concerts etc. might help them to concentrate on the job in hand...

It's just off the M62 and has a train service. Leeds/Bradford airport is a bit far away but travelling time on less congested roads would probably be about the same as getting to the London airports.

What's not to like?

I think it's quite funny that all those people wanting to keep London as the capital do not realise that it has only been the capital since William the Conqueror came over from France and took over.
Before that it was Winchester.
The Romans had Colchester.
The Vikings had York as their capital.

If we are going to have Halifax, there's the Piece Hall, which is amazing.

Or there's Dean Clough, old carpet warehouses that have been upgraded.

Could actually leave the Lords in London to sleep until they fade away. The Houses of Parliament could be restored around them and they would not notice.

I think “ since William the Conqueror” is quite a long time! It’s not as if the Capital City has been shifting around every few years.

That was in response to those who said that London had ALWAYS been the capital. Just pointing out their error.