5 Decaying
-
Hannah White
Abstract
This chapter opens with a description of the decrepit nature of the Palace of Westminster. The chapter discusses the problems that have dogged the project to restore the palace and the consequences – actual and potential – of parliamentarians’ refusal to allow it to proceed. It argues that the disinclination of today’s politicians to renovate the palace means that historical choices will continue to condition future behaviours and thinking in intended and unintended ways.
The chapter argues that the problems which have dogged the restoration are symptomatic of wider issues which are undermining public trust in the House of Commons, and that these need to be addressed in order to reverse the spiral of decline in public confidence in parliament. MPs’ failure to make the House of Commons more diverse, comprehensible and modern has created a risk parliament’s credibility and relevance as an institution.
Abstract
This chapter opens with a description of the decrepit nature of the Palace of Westminster. The chapter discusses the problems that have dogged the project to restore the palace and the consequences – actual and potential – of parliamentarians’ refusal to allow it to proceed. It argues that the disinclination of today’s politicians to renovate the palace means that historical choices will continue to condition future behaviours and thinking in intended and unintended ways.
The chapter argues that the problems which have dogged the restoration are symptomatic of wider issues which are undermining public trust in the House of Commons, and that these need to be addressed in order to reverse the spiral of decline in public confidence in parliament. MPs’ failure to make the House of Commons more diverse, comprehensible and modern has created a risk parliament’s credibility and relevance as an institution.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- Foreword vi
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Side-lined 21
- 2 Unrepresentative 57
- 3 Arcane 91
- 4 Exceptionalist 120
- 5 Decaying 145
- Conclusion 174
- Notes 195
- Index 218
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- Foreword vi
- Acknowledgements ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Side-lined 21
- 2 Unrepresentative 57
- 3 Arcane 91
- 4 Exceptionalist 120
- 5 Decaying 145
- Conclusion 174
- Notes 195
- Index 218
