Big Ben and Bercow

At noon today the chimes of Big Ben will be heard for the last time for four years, outside special occasions. Or that is the plan of the Parliamentary authorities and the Speaker John Bercow. This has come as a shock to the nation and to the MPS whose sitting days have been accompanied by the familiar tones of the great bell for more than 150 years. Even the members of the committees who gave permission for renovation to take place on the Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben were unaware that it would be silenced for so long.

Lord Fowler, the speaker of the Upper House, says he only learnt of the move a few weeks ago, despite chairing the House of Lords Commission. Sir Paul Beresford, who chairs the Commons administration committee, last week said MPS were not told when they agreed to the works programme that the bell would be silent for four years.

Despite this, the Commons authorities insist that Big Ben will be out of action as of midday today. But if the two Parliamentary committees whose job is to oversee the administration of the Palace of Westminster were unaware of the full implications of the work, who took it upon themselves to proceed?

Once again the finger points to Speaker Bercow, who is apparently digging in his heels and insisting that the plan must go ahead. It is extraordinary that the ringing of Big Ben is turning into a power battle between the Speaker and his critics in the Commons. This is something that could be sorted out with a modicum of common sense and a willingness to compromise. The nation waits to see whether Mr Bercow possesses the former or is capable of the latter, as befits the holder of his great office.