To think Parliament should move out of Westminster - at least temporarily

[mummytime]

Apparently the House of Westminster needs major refurbishment.

The BBC on the issue.
The Guardian on the same issue.
Or the official view point.
However moving out of London altogether could revitalise some area of the UK, just like Media City has done for Salford. It might also remove one of the real drivers of the pressure cooker London property market. That is also threatening the Greenbelt in much of the South East. Why not give a boost to somewhere elses property market? Its not as if London's will collapse, I don't see the financial institutions moving out (unless we leave the EU).

The sale of London property could even fund a lot of the cost of the move, and some of the House of Westminster could be kept for State and Pagentry occasions.

There is even a petition to sign here.

You mean you want them to do the sensible, logical and cost effective thing?

Yes please! (Okay I know its asking too much...)

They stopped listening at sensible...

Sensible?

Do you mean a permanent base, and relocation of all Mandarins, Embassies, international organisations etc? Much of what makes a capital a capital?

Some countries have moved their capitals like this. But it's neither cheap nor easy.

Or do you mean a temporary move to cramped, prefab buildings with mobile loos and canteen while the building work is done like everyone else?

It might also remove one of the real drivers of the pressure cooker London property market.

It will simply move the problem elsewhere.

Moving the problem of house prices could be a good thing - some areas do not have anything like the high demand on property that the South East does.

There have been attempts for years to move government departments out of London, if Parliament was outside London then this could ensure the policy makers also moved outside London. As London would remain the financial capital, some departments would have good reasons to remain.

However as a temporary move they could go to somewhere like the NEC, or even move around a bit.