'Bring Parliament to Shropshire' - Councillor’s quip to move MPs and Lords to county during Westminster repairs
A councillor has proposed the unusual move that parliament could move to the county while the Palace of Westminster is repaired.
Ludlow councillor Andy Boddington made the tongue-in-cheek suggestion that MPs and Lords should move to Acton Burnell where the first parliament was held nearly 750 years ago.
The first full commoners’ parliament was held in 1283 in the Parliament Barn, which lies within the grounds of Concord College, near Shrewsbury.
Now all that is left of the barn is the sides, which Councillor Boddington quipped could be repaired with a “quick whip round”.
He said: “The roof on the Palace of Westminster leaks like mad. The castle at Acton Burnell also needs one or two minor repairs. A complete set of walls and a roof would help.
“But I am sure we can manage that with a quick whip round and a few bob piled on the parish precept.
“Our county was not just the heart of the industrial revolution but also right up front of the democratic forces that created the ‘mother of all democracies’.”
Councillor Boddington said that the county would “benefit hugely” from the politicians and their staff being in the area.
He said: “It will take a decade to repair the Palace of Westminster.
“Shropshire could benefit hugely in the meantime from politicians and the huge cohort of support staff that must accompany the political elite everywhere. They are people with money in their pockets.”
Councillor Boddington said that many other towns and cities have pitched to be the temporary centre of Britain’s democracy.
He said in his view, parliament should be brought to the site, where King Edward I met with both barons and commoners, the first time they were allowed to be present at meetings between the King and his power base.
Councillor Boddington added: “Let’s bring parliament to our county. What on earth can be wrong with a surfeit of politicians? I look forward to it. I am sure you will love it.”
