When I meet a parliamentarian my first question is always: do you know where your nearest fire exit is? Because the Palace of Westminster, built on Thorney Island, an eyot in Thames, is falling apart. Not falling down (though the Victoria Tower leans 22mm to the north-west) but apart.
It is an exquisite metaphor for our parliamentary democracy. The palace is unsafe, and last week Parliament decided what it would do about it. Nothing.
