Monday 5th February

Well something different.  Someone on a blog asked what are you reading? this was a general question to her readers.  So how to catch up with my weekend reading.  Two weekend papers, The Times and the Guardian.  My weekly News Statesman and then two books, Madeline Bunting - Love of  Country and a biography on C.S.Lewis, this I think down to Rachel who mentioned him.

But an article in the NS caught my eye, The Palace is Falling Down no way political but its that place where all the politicians gather to discuss the weighty matters of this country (forgive the sarky tone;), amongst he-hawing, grunting and groaning.

Well the Houses of Parliament are falling down, this great 8 acre edifice is beginning to split at the seams, especially in the basement where piping steams and chunters, sewage explodes occasionally and there are even fires.

Well Gormenghast it may not be, but the HP replaced the old palace, and what remains of that palace is still to a point intact inside, such as Westminster Hall.

But the rest of the building was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, and though beautifully detailed is slowly falling to pieces.  "When completed in 1870 there were 1180 rooms, 4000 windows, 126 staircases, three towers, two miles of corridor and the longest river frontage in London, at 980 feet"

Now for more facts and figures.....

"In 2014, Deloitte drew up estimates for three separate options for restoration and renewal works: moving out completely for 6 years, at a cost of 3.9 billion pounds; partially moving out for 11 years, at a cost of 4.4. billion, and not moving out at all, for 32 years, at a cost of 5.7.billion - the mistake of old"

In 2016 a joint committee chose the first option, they were worried about a single catastrophic event of fire or a series of failures in essential systems.  The talking still goes on!  Apparently the Architect Norman Foster designed a 'pop-up parliament' to sit in Horse Guard Parade and it died - where would Trooping the Colour Go?, there are several options where the politicians can go;

Richmond House, Westminster Hall and perhaps the Lords go to the Queen Elizabeth 11 Conference Centre.  Decisions, decisions!

There is foolish talk that should the politicians desert the Houses of Parliament it would be like the ravens leaving the Tower of London they would never get back - O joy.

Does this problem top Brexit I wonder, it is such a beautiful architectual building, but there are so many pressing problems to address notwithstanding the National Health Service which is under severe strain.

The Palace is falling Down - Tanya Gold