Parliament is steeped in history, but too many parts of the estate are dangerous and squalid. The promised upgrade can’t come a minute too soon, says Labour MP Rupa Huq
If they managed during the pandemic I think they can handle it now. I would like some departments to be moved out of London but I get that London is a talent draw so some staff would not like to move.
Move to where exactly? It would have to be a large estate, with over 1000 office suites, security, two chambers, media facilities including uplink and contribution studios, and so on. Wherever it goes will have two major shocks, one when house prices and infrastructure demand surges, then a crash when parliament leaves again. It must be quickly (1hr) reachable from Whitehall for PMQ and MQs. So that’s either within the Home Counties or people will have to accept an era of helicopter government. Add a helipad or two to the list.
If they managed during the pandemic I think they can handle it now. I would like some departments to be moved out of London but I get that London is a talent draw so some staff would not like to move.
Move to where exactly? It would have to be a large estate, with over 1000 office suites, security, two chambers, media facilities including uplink and contribution studios, and so on. Wherever it goes will have two major shocks, one when house prices and infrastructure demand surges, then a crash when parliament leaves again. It must be quickly (1hr) reachable from Whitehall for PMQ and MQs. So that’s either within the Home Counties or people will have to accept an era of helicopter government. Add a helipad or two to the list.