UK Parliament Security

**KukriKhan** · 02-27-2008, 15:47

Guy Fawkes would be proud, yes?

BBC Report

It is seen as a fundamental part of British democracy that people should be able to go Parliament to lobby their MP.

The public are allowed temporary passes to some parts of the building, but to get to most parts of the Palace of Westminster it is necessary to have security clearance or to be a guest of someone with clearance.

The "purple powder people", pro- and anti-hunting guys, and now anti-airport expansion folks scaling the roof.

Does the right of protest trump security measures?

Or, in these times of terrorism, should security prevail?

**Pannonian** · 02-27-2008, 16:00

Is there any real need for physical access to Westminster, considering MPs should have regular surgeries to answer their constituents' questions in person?

**InsaneApache** · 02-27-2008, 17:14

Originally Posted by Pannonian

Is there any real need for physical access to Westminster, considering MPs should have regular surgeries to answer their constituents' questions in person?

Yes.

**Pannonian** · 02-27-2008, 17:15

Originally Posted by InsaneApache

Yes.

Expand.

**LittleGrizzly** · 02-27-2008, 17:19

I visited once back when i was 10 or so, i think its important to go and watch so you can see how our democracy works, though since then i think the parliment channel started so you can watch them anyway, i still think its nice to be able to get up close and personal with our politics.

Are we supposed to be able to talk to our politicians well thier in the parliment building ?

**InsaneApache** · 02-27-2008, 17:36

OK I'll expand.

In a representative democracy it's vital that the electors have free access to the elected. Like a court of law with its public galleries, the 'other place' should also have a public gallery. Once you start putting more and more barriers between the ruled and the rulers despotism will ensue.

It's bad enough with the corruption and mendacity displayed by MPs nowadays without cocooning them further from public gaze and scrutiny.

Now if you were to say that the security arrangements are a laughable joke, then I would agree.

**JAG** · 02-27-2008, 17:44

Originally Posted by Pannonian

Is there any real need for physical access to Westminster, considering MPs should have regular surgeries to answer their constituents' questions in person?

Of course it is. In a democracy the people shouldn't be barred from watching or seeing their representatives anywhere - or soon you get to the point where we say, some citizens deserve or allowed to see their representatives, but others aren't, or even worse - just watch on TV. That would be disastrous. Plus the fact that politicians need to feel accountability first hand and directly, which by buffing them in a little bubble, will not help with.

As for the protests, it's a stunt, of course but a damn good one. I support the third runway, even though I live very close to heathrow, it is needed for the country, but none the less there hasn't been enough consultation and talking with local people who are pissed off with the situation and the future of their areas - this might help a little.

And security should never triumph over free speech and freedom of expression which doesn't put peoples lives at risk, such as this.

**InsaneApache** · 02-27-2008, 18:11

Originally Posted by JAG

Of course it is. In a democracy the people shouldn't be barred from watching or seeing their representatives anywhere - or soon you get to the point where we say, some citizens deserve or allowed to see their representatives, but others aren't, or even worse - just watch on TV. That would be disastrous. Plus the fact that politicians need to feel accountability first hand and directly, which by buffing them in a little bubble, will not help with.

As for the protests, it's a stunt, of course but a damn good one. I support the third runway, even though I live very close to heathrow, it is needed for the country, but none the less there hasn't been enough consultation and talking with local people who are pissed off with the situation and the future of their areas - this might help a little.

And security should never triumph over free speech and freedom of expression which doesn't put peoples lives at risk, such as this.

Blimey, as with religion, yorkies and legalising drugs, we agree once again!

Nurse, nurse, medication time!

**Pannonian** · 02-27-2008, 19:34

Originally Posted by JAG

Of course it is. In a democracy the people shouldn't be barred from watching or seeing their representatives anywhere - or soon you get to the point where we say, some citizens deserve or allowed to see their representatives, but others aren't, or even worse - just watch on TV. That would be disastrous. Plus the fact that politicians need to feel accountability first hand and directly, which by buffing them in a little bubble, will not help with.

Isn't that what the surgeries supposed to be for? Regular meetings with their constituents, in the constituency? Other than gawping at them from the gallery, which can be done via the TV anyway, what access does one have to the MPs in Westminster that one can't have back at their constituency?

**InsaneApache** · 02-27-2008, 20:07

Originally Posted by Pannonian

Isn't that what the surgeries supposed to be for? Regular meetings with their constituents, in the constituency? Other than gawping at them from the gallery, which can be done via the TV anyway, what access does one have to the MPs in Westminster that one can't have back at their constituency?

That's not the point.

**Kanamori** · 03-06-2008, 04:44

I made it to the roof too. Another time when I was walking around with only a visitor's tag, they escorted me out with mp5's and had to go through the damn visitor's checkpoint again to get back in.

Edit: even with guest clearance you have to have an escort or be taken back outside...