As mentioned in a previous article, one of the greatest privileges of being an MP is working in the Houses of Parliament, a wonderful neo-Gothic building and Grade 1 Listed World Heritage Site.
Some parts of the building date from as far back as the 1100s, while the iconic Big Ben and the famous exterior of the building dates from the 1850s, following extensive rebuilding after the fire of 1834.
Working in these famous old buildings – with paintings and statues of illustrious Parliamentarians of years past everywhere – is a constant reminder of the duty and responsibility that MPs have, and the weight of history in British politics.
You may have read in the press that the buildings, particularly the older parts of the Palace of Westminster, are in urgent need of extensive renovation. With electrical wiring and plumbing some 70 years old, it is possible this old building may have to be vacated for several years, so that extensive repairs can be carried out to preserve this important and historic building for the nation.
Before that happens, I am trying to take as many of my constituents as possible who are interested in visiting to see and experience the Parliament building, arranging coach tours for groups of constituents to come to London for a free tour, just paying the cost of the coach. The only cost to visitors is that of the coach and the visit is arranged at cost price.
I have been sending out hundreds of invitations, working my way through the different postcodes in town. Over the coming years, I hope to arrange as many of these coach tours as I can, and two more coach-loads are already fully booked!