Westminster’s biggest problem is that it’s falling down

A disastrous fire in parliament would be a sad symbol of Britain, says Sean O’Grady

Recent restoration work in 2019 simply uncovered more problems at the Palace of Westminster (AP)

The powerful House of Commons public accounts committee (PAC) warns that there is a risk parliament could be destroyed by a “catastrophic incident” before repair works are carried out. It says there is a “critical need” to restore the building. Not only is it an internationally celebrated emblem of Britain – and democracy – but there is a growing list of health and safety incidents, some involving asbestos.

The clerks of both houses of parliament “finally seem to acknowledge publicly the enormity of this task, for which they are now personally accountable”, the PAC says in its report. But the process has suffered from “years of procrastination”, it adds, and from the focus having been on the convenience of sentimental MPs rather than the thousands of staff and visitors who use the building.

Is it a problem if parliament falls down?