A message from Nick Timothy MP:
Thank you to everyone who took part in my survey on parliament and the type of refurbishment works that should be undertaken on it.
The results show that 60 per cent of respondents do not favour a full renovation of the Palace of Westminster but want targeted repairs only without a major programme of works. A clear majority (59 per cent) said the decision should not be left to experts and technocrats, but would require a full parliamentary debate and vote.
A summary of the results of the survey can be found below. If you would still like to take part in it, please click here.
Best wishes
Nick Timothy, MP
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- The question: “Does the work need to happen? The Palace is deteriorating rapidly. A parliamentary committee warned it could become uninhabitable without major works. Do you think restoration should go ahead?“: 60 per cent said the repairs should be limited to targeted fixes only, and there should not be a full restoration.
2. The question was as follows: “Which approach? Two options are on the table. Option A: MPs and peers temporarily vacate the building for up to 24 years from 2032, enabling a full restoration at a cost of up to £15.6 billion.
Option B: Parliament remains in the building while phased works take place over up to 61 years, at a cost of up to £39 billion. Some argue for smaller, targeted repairs without any major decant – though experts say this risks being unsafe and more costly over time. Which do you prefer?“ Half of respondents (the largest single share) chose neither option, opting to say that targeted repairs should be carried out without a major programme of works. The next most popular option, garnering 30 per cent of respondents’ choices, was ‘Option A – full temporary vacation of Parliament by MPs, peers and staff, enabling a full restoration taking up to 24 years from 2032 at a cost of £15.6 billion.”
3. This question was: “Is there enough scrutiny? This could be one of the largest public building projects in British history, yet critics say it lacks sufficient oversight and accountability. A final decision is needed by mid-2030. Should Parliament hold a full debate and vote before any option is approved?” A clear majority (59 per cent) said yes, spending on this scale demands a full parliamentary debate and vote. Only a fifth said this is a technical matter best left to officials and experts.
