So Much More than I expected.

I would never have thought that a visit to the Houses of Parliament could make such an inspiring and even exciting day out!

Even moving slowly along in the queue so close to the impressive architecture and hearing Big Ben chime 11 times so close to felt like something special. Eventually we moved one by one through a revolving door, past a machine taking instant mugshots and producing a visitor pass which you then wear round your neck, and then through the usual airport-style security for bodies and bags/coats. Some found that scary, I felt it was reassuring.

In Westminster Hall, one of the very few surviving remains of the original buildings which has a most magnificent hammer beam roof, we were directed into a corner and split into 2 groups. Mine was led by a ‘door keeper’ who was a mine of information both in terms of the history and little anecdotes about past and present members and little titbits like the modesty curtain for ladies (so their legs wouldn’t be seen from below) and one that used to be in place for the Speaker of the House. That was for use when he needed to go to the loo; in order not to have to interrupt proceedings, he had a chamber pot under his seat which he would use having drawn the curtains. Then at the end of the day the ‘necessary’ woman whose job it was to tidy up would see to that, too. And apparently was mighty proud of it!

Our guide made it a totally fascinating 1 ½ hour experience. The whole of the site is hugely impressive. It was designed by Sir Charles Barry after the almost complete destruction by fire in 1834. The overheating of a House of Lords furnace filled with Exchequer tally sticks used for keeping accounts led to a massive blaze, which destroyed almost all of the rambling medieval building.

The outer splendour is then magnified by the almost overwhelming ornate richness of the interior design by Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. It is intended to be a ‘sculptured memorial of English national history’. It certainly achieves that; however, one would have to visit several times to be able to absorb even a fraction of what is to be seen.

The House of Commons almost gives a little respite from this; it was destroyed in WWII and rebuilt afterwards with somewhat less opulence.

It was quite surprising to find both chambers of the House to be much smaller than one would expect. In fact, the House of Commons has only sufficient space for about two thirds of all the MPs.

I was particularly fortunate to happen to bump into David Kidney who had acted as tour guide for the second group standing with a small group of people. He was due to give a speech shortly but offered to take us to the members’ dining room and the terrace. The magnificent view of the Thames and the buildings lining it provide an atmosphere of breathtaking beauty, which is both uplifting and calming. It is good to think that old father Thames might have a calming influence on the hectic goings-on in Parliament.

A chance remark had made me realise I could get a (free) ticket for the public gallery to watch what was happening in the House of Commons. So at 2.30 I saw the Speaker’s procession and then queued up the stairs to a place where you leave all bags including handbags before you enter the space which is now behind a huge glass screen. To be able to watch ministers in the flesh in the to and fro of questions and answers across the House was a magnificent and impressive end to a fabulous day.

If you want to get people to be proud of being a citizen of this country and inspire young ones to become involved in the democratic process, give them the chance of such a visit!

Huge thanks to Debbie for organising such a marvellous event – it takes a very great deal of time and effort, and no doubt worries, beforehand.