In the 14 months I have represented you in the House of Commons I have come to love the Palace of Westminster in which it is housed.
I can’t deny it took a bit of getting used to, not least finding my way round its myriad walkways – all 4.8 kilometres in total – and its rooms – 1,100 of them – and the rather idiosyncratic layout.
But that is part of its appeal – once you have got the hang of it – along with a host of other features built into the structure which on first experience seem profoundly strange but after a while make a lot of sense.
For example, there are the two lobbies either side of the Commons chamber where MPs have to physically go to register their vote. MPs have to come out of the chamber and from all parts of the Westminster estate (they have eight minutes to do so once the division bell rings – which signals a vote is taking place) to pass through either the “aye” or “no” lobbies.
In an age of instant electronic communication this procedure seems absurd, until you are part of it and realise the value of MPs coming together like this, albeit briefly. It is, for example, an ideal moment for a backbench MP like me to buttonhole a minister about an issue.
For reasons like these I am very pleased that the cross-party joint committee of Lords and MPs formed to consider how the multi-million pound repairs to the Palace should be carried out have published their preferred proposals.
The plan is still to be agreed by both Houses but it is likely that we shall vacate the Palace for a number of years while the vital repairs are done. And these works are essential. Without them there is a risk of a major fire or a failure of the creaking Gothic fabric which would make the building uninhabitable.
Thankfully, the idea of abandoning the Palace and turning it into a museum have been rejected.
I’ll miss the House while the repairs take place but when we return it will be in the knowledge that this great building – a World Heritage Site – which has been the scene of so much drama and British history is protected for future generations.
In the constituency, I was delighted to officially open Bainbridge Vets’ new base in Askrigg. This is a seriously impressive operation catering for domestic pets, exotics and large farm animals and all credit to vets Davinia Hinde and Michael Woodhouse for their ambition. They have an open day tomorrow and I’m hoping I can get along later after attending Stokesley Show.
Lastly, I recently heard of a commendable effort to keep the Wensleydale Flyer Sunday and bank holiday bus service between Northallerton and Hawes running through the winter. I lobbied to keep this service going through the summer months, which happily it did, but the contract ends shortly and more cash is needed to keep it running.
Neil and Jane McNair have kindly agreed to donate £1 for every booking received for their Low Mill guesthouse in Bainbridge. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Wensleydaleflier.