Image 2 retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/House-of-Commons-British-government
June 23, 2016
Through the marred plexiglass window I watched the fervent debates that would decide the fate of my country. The House of Commons was practically empty except for the few up and coming PMs who wanted to make a name for their oratory prowess. Ornate wood paneling surrounds the room, and is diminished by the green leather chairs of this room. By the time this time the word fascist was being thrown around as though it was going out of style. My vote had already been cast, and my mind had been made. I decided to retire into the halls and go for a walk before I made my way back to the House of Lords.
For a thousand years these halls have held some of the greatest orators the world will ever know. An empire was forged and slowly dismantled from within these spires of stone and glass. The Palace of Westminster is one of the most awe inspiring buildings I have ever encountered. Its design and architecture dignifies the respect the history its halls hold. I was working that summer for the Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne in the House of Lords. The building was nothing short of stunning. As I left the House of Commons the spires reached toward the heavens. I walked into the great hall and I felt as though I was teleported back to the middle ages. The wood arches were made of entire trees each. The stone was cold and stark. At the end of the hall a giant window brought light into the entire room. Walking through the halls there is a timeless classical feel to the entire building. One can’t but an exact date to the architecture but it bleeds England. There are warm notes of wood, carpets, marble, and paintings that erupt every era of British greatness.
That day I took a longer stroll than I normally wood. I knew the significance of this vote. Brexit would decide the fate of the UK for generations to come. When I reached the house of Lords I was greeted by a seemingly more elegant wood, and a delicate ornamentation of gold around the room. The room was take by the golden throne representing the monarchy. Debates here were more cordial, elegant, and above all civil.
I left that evening out a back door of Westminster. I was so worried for weeks after lobbying to remain that England would crumble before my eyes. After walking through that building I understood. We have been here for a thousand years. This house of parliament has been burned down to the ground, bombed out, and attacked. Every time it has been rebuilt. It along with England would withstand the test of time.
