Vigil as bell tolls for Big Ben
Heritage minister warns silencing the clock could deter people from visiting the much-loved landmark
Political correspondent
MPS are expected to gather outside Parliament today to witness Big Ben’s bongs for the last time before it falls silent for four years of renovation works.
Stephen Pound, the Labour MP, said he believed that at least 20 “traditionalists” would gather “with our heads bowed and hope in our hearts” for “silence at noon”.
It comes after a battle in Parliament over the silencing of Big Ben. MPS have called for the authorities to find a way to ensure Big Ben continues to ring out during a renovation project.
Mr Pound told The Daily Telegraph: “There will be quite a few of the House of Commons staff and police officers recognising the passing of something that you don’t know you’ve got until it’s gone. When the bells do fall silent we will start to regret it.”
Officials announced last week that the plan will be reviewed when MPS return to the Commons in September.
BIG BEN should continue to bong for tourists at least once a week, the heritage minister has said, as he warned that silencing the clock could deter visitors.
John Glen, a minister at the Department for Culture, joined a growing chorus of fellow MPS by insisting it was wrong that the bongs of Big Ben would not be heard for the next four years.
His comments come as Big Ben, the bell which sits in Parliament’s Elizabeth Tower, sounds for the last time at noon today before falling silent due to renovation works.
Mr Glen told The Daily Telegraph: “I think it is a shame for the visitors who obviously enjoy hearing the bong, it’s one of our key attractions. We need a practical solution that minimises the disruption, but respects the fact that looking after heritage and some of our most important assets does take time.
“I would hope we could find a way of ringing the bells at least once a week for tourists to enjoy. That’s exactly the sort of solution I hope we could work towards. I don’t know the implications of additional costs but I think that’s a sensible idea.”
Matt Hancock, the digital minister, added: “We are a creative nation, so we should find a creative way for Big Ben to continue to set the rhythm of the parliamentary day, as it has done down the years.”
Theresa May, the Prime Minister, has publicly expressed her dismay at the plans but Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has been more supportive. Mrs May has urged Commons Speaker John Bercow to find a way to ensure Big Ben continues to ring out during a £29 million renovation of the Elizabeth Tower. Under health and safety rules, the 13-ton bell is being taken out of action to protect the hearing of construction workers on site.
After coming under intense pressure, officials announced that the plan for Big Ben to remain silent until 2021 is now under review. But the Lords and the Commons Commissions will only review whether any other proposals can be pursued when Parliament returns after the summer.
The Commission rubber-stamped the building work after it was approved by three separate parliamentary bodies in the autumn of 2015.
But as disclosed by The Daily Telegraph, MPS were not told that the repair work meant shutting down Big
Ben for four years.
A Commons spokesperson said: “When Parliament returns, in light of concerns expressed by MPS, the House of Commons Commission will consider the length of time that the bells will fall silent.
“Of course, any discussion will focus on undertaking the work efficiently, protecting the health and safety of those involved, and seeking to ensure resumption of normal service as soon as is practicable. The bells will cease to ring, as planned, following the chimes at noon.”