A big politician would see the point of Big Ben

SIR – Big Ben is silenced, though it is not clear on whose authority, and it seems that nobody has the authority to revoke the decision.

Big Ben matters. Churchill would not have tolerated this for a moment and I doubt that Margaret Thatcher would have either. The BBC thinks that it is a little bit of a giggle and can’t see what the fuss is about.

Theresa May needs to seize the opportunity to get on side with the man on the Clapham omnibus by restoring Big Ben’s chimes. Peter Richards

Poole, Dorset

SIR – Many have suggested that the solution to protecting the health of workers from the noise of Big Ben is the use of ear defenders. This is erroneous. Use of personal protective equipment should be considered only when all other control measures have failed. In this case, a simple control measure that eliminates the hazard completely is silencing the bell. Dr Paul Turnbull

Alverstoke, Hampshire

SIR – The nation’s timekeeping should fall to clocks in the regions.

The quarter-chiming clock of St Peter ad Vincula in South Newington, Oxfordshire, would do the job admirably.

Built in 1741 for a church in Banbury, it was moved to South Newington in 1897 (Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee), was renovated in 1977 (the Queen’s Silver Jubilee) and automated in 2000. David Swan

South Newington, Oxfordshire