For Queen’s sake, don’t close the Commons, plead MPs
THERESA MAY is poised to join a revolt against plans to move MPs out of crumbling Parliament for six years – because of the disruption that would be caused to the Queen’s funeral in the event of her death during that time.
Relocating the MPs would mean closing the Palace of Westminster – including historic Westminster Hall, where by tradition monarchs, senior Royals and great political figures such as Sir Winston Churchill lie in state before their funerals.
Ministers were shocked to learn that officials had not made alter- native arrangements for any lyings in state during the period the MPs are due to be away, starting in 2022.
‘This appears to be a serious flaw in the proposals,’ said a senior source.
‘It is a good reason to think again. It is not an ideal moment to replace the Houses of Parliament with some kind of Portakabin.’
The last person to lie in state was the Queen Mother, who died aged 101 in 2002. Hundreds of thousands of people queued to pay their respects.
The Mail on Sunday understands that the Prime Minister and several senior Ministers plan to oppose the £4billion restoration when a vote is held later this month. Apart from concerns over timings, Conservative MPs are worried that it could prompt a public backlash against ‘spendthrift MPs’ similar to that sparked by the 2009 expenses scandal. They want the renovation carried out over 20 to 30 years to spread the cost.
Former Tory Minister Shailesh Vara, who is leading calls for the MPs’ move to be called off, claims he has won the support of nearly 100 colleagues in recent weeks.
Commons chiefs say an investigation showed that doing the work over a shorter time was ‘the quickest, most cost-effective and lowestrisk option’. Emergency repairs currently cost £100million a year.
The Queen is expected to be seen in public for the first time in more than five weeks today after suffering a heavy cold. It is believed she will decide this morning whether to attend a service at St Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.