Movie spotlight
This historic film documents the restoration of the House of Commons, which was severely damaged by a bombing raid in May 1941. It also commemorates the secret location, in nearby Church House, where MPs met following the destruction of the Commons chamber. The film features Sir Winston Churchill giving a lighthearted commemorative speech to mark the occasion of the reopening of the restored House of Commons. There is also rare footage of King George VI delivering an address to both House of Parliament in Westminster Hall - the only monarch to have done so since Charles I. Many of the skills employed to restore the chamber to its original condition are also featured in sequences showing the craftsmen at work.
It seems all the more apposite to watch this now in 2026 when the self-same House of Commons that was bombed by the Luftwaffe is now facing bills of some £40 billions to make the whole Palace of Westminster fit for purpose and less of a rat...