Price of democracy

FEW buildings have the symbolic power possessed by our Houses of Parliament, an expression in stone of Britain’s long history of liberty and democracy.

Instantly recognisable, brooding and majestic, the Palace of Westminster is considerably more beloved than the MPs who sit in it. So today’s politicians have an absolute duty to preserve the building for future generations. So do we all.

The money must be found, but £4billion seems a lot. Chancellor George Osborne is right to ask for a cheaper estimate.