The Parliament House of UK has about 650 MPs and 1,800 civil servants working in the building. Its security is tight. However, it is also open to tourists and a centre for parliamentary democracy training.
I was surprised to see young school children were allowed to enter into the building to learn about the history and the function of Parliament. The Malaysian Parliament doesn’t allow children below 12 years old to enter.
The building is full of history. It was a palace as well as a church. Many paintings and statutes in the Parliament House tell the history of Britain.
We were not allowed to take photos in many parts of the building. We were not allowed to sit in the chamber of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is interesting to hear the history of power struggle between the politicians and the palace.
The Parliament building is quite old and some parts of the building is sinking. It needs major refurbishments which might cost ยฃ7 billion. The government and the MPs are still indecisive on how to handle it.
