Palace of Westminster and Big Ben

[Timmytree]

Both old buildings are in a dire state and need expensive repairs, now I know that these are tourist attractions, well loved by Yanks and Japs and much photographed but do we honestly need to spend the ridiculous amounts of money quoted?
Big Ben alone needs £40 million, I'm sure the figure mentioned for the palace was £7 billion!
I think it's about time that the UK government displayed their commitment to austerity by refusing to spend our money on this pile of old stones, pull the lot down and create a much needed car park, a green space or if they really want something special, put in a hand car wash staffed by British people who don't look like mafiosos and can breathe without spitting.
Lets have some opinions!

[Brooksy]

Guy Fawkes night soon isn't it?

[james79]

A new permission? Sounds like a cracker, a wide variety of pest species that are surely covered by the general licence most of which are notifiable (or do I mean certifiable? ) good sport by all accounts

[eboswan]

Sell the lot too the yanks and use the profits and land too build housing for our fresh batch of newcomers

[zippy]

£40,million... WOW!

[Katzenjammer]

Far too expensive a restoration project. Sell it off to the Chinese/Arabs/Russians etc

The solution is

A new parliament building built to the North of London and in the Midlands if possible. I would say further North but that isn't really practical. They could also build a complete suite of offices and accommodation blocks and anything else required. That would cure the two homes frauds etc. You live there, FULL STOP! A mix of accommodation size to suit needs could be provided. Secure, patrolled site etc etc.

They could even have the policy departments of every major government dept there so the Ministers can liaise with the Perm Secs etc. That was long used as an excuse for non devolvement of ordinary functions of Govt Depts from London (Hardman Dispersals 1970's - never really happened and that was all pre computers etc) You don't need to be in London know whatever the outcries may be