Safe for Democracy

Members of Parliament are working in a water-damaged fire hazard which has leaking roofs, bad plumbing, damaged interiors and asbestos throughout, and this is apparently a Bad Thing. Not even the jabbering homunculus that is Michael Gove has yet contradicted the experts over the effects of asbestos, although depressingly few MPs show much sign of being short of breath. For the rest, the condition of the Palace of Westminster sounds little worse than some of the country's more affordable housing; still, the last thing a healthy democracy needs is for its lords and masters to bask in the very freedom from Health and Safety red tape that keeps the lower orders all buccaneering and entrepreneurial. Fortunately, plans have been drawn up for Parliament to be moved temporarily while refurbishments take place: the House of Donors to the Queen Gawblesser conference centre, and the House of Expenses Claimants to the offices of the Department of Health, which self-evidently will not be required for much longer.