To wonder why MPs have cheap bars?

[bigbadshewolf]

Been mentioned in media a lot lately re 'drink fuelled' culture and there being several cheap bars in Houses of Parliament. Why are they there? Why are they cheap? Assuming it's public funds subsidising? Anybody know?

Well I think they're all being moved elsewhere during the renovations, so they'll have to temporarily buy their own beer at market prices then and everyone will be happier.

Re the refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament. I think they should use the opportunity to build a secure facility in a central location near to motorways/train lines to accomodate MPs and provide residential blocks, office and catering facilities, a modern parliament building, perhaps also childcare and anything else they need and then make the refurbishment of the HoP ceremonial only - ie not needing all the infrastructure for a working building.

Would save the need for accomodation, travel and catering at London prices.

If Parliament was located away from central government it wouldn’t work. Everyday ministers are briefed by civil servants in their departments and then come to parliament to answer questions etc. Is if you move Parliament you have to move all the big Government departments in Whitehall. That’s 10,000 of staff you have to relocate or pay off. And then London isn’t the capital because it’s not the seat of Government.

It could be done but the ramifications are huge and it would be many decades before any savings were realised.

I work in the public sector, we have a subsidised cafe in the building where I work. Only it's not subsidised for staff, only the "customers ", staff pay a higher rate. At least they don't as we go to the Pret opposite or bring our own.

I feel uncomfortable being in a work environment where there is alcohol . I'm a bit wary of the drink culture at work. I wonder what the Quaker, Methodist or Muslim Mps think. Not easy to work there if you're a recovering alcoholic either.

Everyday ministers are briefed by civil servants in their departments and then come to parliament to answer questions etc.

How about skype, video conferencing, email, etc. There's absolutely ZERO need for face to face physical meetings anymore as a matter of routine. It's just archaic and completely unnecessary, not to mention a huge waste of time for all involved.

They all know each other and network

There was a spider diagram in the newspapers a few years back showing just how "incestuous" Westminster was. It showed the links between MPs who went to the same schools/unis, came from the same families, had relationships with each other, and all crossing party boundary lines, such as current Labour MPs who'd previously been in relationships with current Tory MPs, whilst at Uni, etc. Quite an eye opener really at just how "linked" a huge number of them were.

I work at the HoC. I’m not an MP, I’m on the London Living Wage.

There are 14, 000 people who have a Parliamentary Pass, meaning they work at least part time in the Palace of Westminster.

I make no comment on subsidies, but cheap bars for “MPs” is very misleading.