A tragic week

The security services do a remarkable job and have managed to prevent a number of attacks on Parliament.  There is always the danger that one or more will succeed.  Wednesday saw such an attack, with a tragic loss of lives.   Whenever such attacks happen – the Palace has witnessed IRA bomb attacks as well as the assassination of MP Airey Neave within the precincts – there is a review of security, but with the recognition that Parliament has to continue operating as a Parliament and be accessible to the public.   There is the obvious concern not only with the Palace itself, but also the surrounding area.  One aspect to be considered is pedestrianizing the area around the Palace, not least St Margaret’s Street and part of Parliament Square.  As for immediate changes, these will be operational matters for the security services.

I had a fairly packed programme lined up for the week.  On…