Tristram Hunt, who leads the Victoria and Albert Museum, has voiced strong worries about the potential demolition of the Palace of Westminster. This concern appears in his statements reported by major outlets.
The Palace, erected in a neo-Gothic style by Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin, stands as the historic seat of the British Parliament from the 19th century. Among its three towers, the Elizabeth Tower houses the iconic Big Ben bell, a symbol familiar to many around the world.
Hunt highlighted several urgent issues facing the building: damp odors and pervasive moisture; rodents; deteriorating stonework; the ongoing risk of fire due to aging electrical systems; asbestos concerns; and a general atmosphere described as “disgusting decay.”
A 2012 pre-feasibility assessment identified the need for a foundational renovation to stabilize the structure. By 2015, auditors estimated that a complete renovation could cost about £5.7 billion (over $9 billion at that time) and would take roughly 32 years if MPs were temporarily relocated. If MPs remained in place during the works, the estimate rose to about £22 billion with a projected duration of 76 years.
Plans in the works for a major refurbishment ranged from £7 billion to £13 billion and would require a 12-year closure in 2022, but those plans have stalled. Hunt has floated private funding over two decades to finance Parliament’s restoration, drawing a parallel to funding models used for major events in the past.
The museum director urged MPs not to delay the renovation decision, expressing hope that work could be completed in time for a milestone—the 200th anniversary of the 1834 fire that previously destroyed parts of the building and reshaped its destiny.
As discussions about renovation proceed, a proposal has emerged to construct a new Houses of Parliament in London featuring a transparent futuristic façade. Another option on the table is a temporary modular structure situated on the River Thames to accommodate parliamentary needs during the transition.
In related remarks, a separate public moment involved a controversial, unverified image involving public figures, underscoring the heightened public interest surrounding the palace and its future.