Your vision for a new, modern parliament

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jun/23/your-vision-for-a-new-modern-parliament

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The necessary redevelopment of the Houses of Parliament will inevitably be hamstrung by the historic nature of the buildings and the “conservative” nature of the government in power when decisions are made (Crumbling parliament could cost £7bn to renovate, 19 June). A new debating chamber is needed along the lines of that in the Reichstag (though they had the advantage of a bombed building) with greater public access and visibility – and, as you say (Editorial, 19 June), the more absurd Victorian ceremonials swept away – but it is very unlikely that the existing chambers will be allowed to be demolished. And are we really to build a new House of Lords? It seems unavoidable that unless a radical approach is taken we will end up with a parliamentary theme park, and this golden opportunity will be lost. I am not optimistic that the political establishment have any appetite for the level of reform needed to make parliament fit for purpose for the next 200 years.Jeremy ScroxtonThames Ditton, Surrey

• Re Marina Hyde’s article (We can pay £7bn to fix parliament, or much less to an arsonist, 20 June), surely it would be better to take the opportunity to do a straightforward refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster and turn it into a museum of politics and government. What a spectacular world tourist attraction for London. Rich and exciting employment for out-of-work actors, naturally women playing some of the men, as they stage debates from different eras, royal openings, division bells ... the list is endless. It could be the best show in town. As Marina Hyde suggests, backers would be falling over themselves to pay for it.

We could have a purpose-built new parliament somewhere like Nottingham. Exactly in the middle of the country, with an airport, the M1. There’s bags of vacant land behind the station, right next to the city centre, just waiting for some exciting contemporary architecture. No other city offers such ideal facilities. Come on: dust away the cobwebs, start afresh. Modern up.Judy LiebertNottingham

• Several ideas for parliament’s temporary home spring to mind. When Christchurch Cathedral was almost demolished by the New Zealand earthquake in 2011, it was replaced by the “cardboard cathedral” designed by Shigeru Ban. It is highly successful, and is an outstanding example of social enterprise and community development.

The Northern Powerhouse – what a golden opportunity!Davids CollinsHarpenden

• Surely the Commons and the Guardian (Editorial, 19 June) are being too conservative. If we are to act like a modern progressive nation we should consider demolishing the current parliament and replacing it with a building fit for purpose for the next decades. This might turn out to be cheaper and less disruptive than the proposals currently on the table. It would make a good subject for a competition for architects.Douglas BuchananWarrington

• Refurbishing the Houses of Parliament will be a difficult, protracted, disruptive and expensive exercise, but very necessary. Would it not be a good idea to hand over the building to the National Trust, and let them fix it? The government should find another venue for parliament to meet, perhaps somewhere like the O2 Arena might suffice.Ted PrangnellAshford, Kent

• Surely the best idea would be to move to Edinburgh, and to make that fine city the UK’s capital. This would have benefits beyond facilitating the refurbishment – it would solve the problems of the London housing market, rebalance the economy and prove that the government was serious about maintaining the union.Peter MalpassBristol