Two things could start the process of fixing the democratic deficit highlighted by the referendum result.
First, parliament must move out of London. The Palace of Westminster is crumbling – literally and metaphorically. Shortly before the referendum, there was a suggestion to move parliament to Bristol, in what’s been termed a “full decant”. Bristol would be the top choice of few – perhaps not even Bristolians – but what could send a clearer message than the establishment packing its bags and clearing out of the capital? 'Bursting the Westminster bubble' – the headlines write themselves. Not to mention the regular sight of ministers and mandarins having to change trains at Swindon and Reading.
The mood in the country – win or lose, Remain or Leave – is ugly, and likely to turn uglier, as recession and the lack of effective government start to bite and as it becomes ever more apparent to Leave voters that Brexit is unlikely to happen, at least not in the way that many imagined. Parliament should act now, and move.
