Britain out of the EU, say Tory MPs

Party colleague Peter Bone said: “Big Ben should bong when we come out of the EU, absolutely.

“We are being liberated from the European Union superstate and Britain will again be a completely selfgoverning country. Where will the eyes of the world be? On Parliament and Big Ben. It would be very strange if at midnight on that day it does not chime out, very bizarre. It is the heart of our nation.”

And fellow Tory Andrew Bridgen added: “It would be very fitting if Big Ben was to chime us out of the EU. We need to go out with a boom as we regain a sovereign parliament once again.”

A Commons spokesman said: “On Monday, following the 12 noon chimes, Big Ben’s bongs will temporarily cease.

“We cannot yet give a confirmed date for when chiming will resume, however the intent is to maintain striking for important events, such as Remembrance Sunday and New Year’s Eve.

“The clock mechanism will continue to function and we will aim to have at least one working clock face visible throughout the works.

“When Parliament returns, the House of Commons Commission will consider the length of time that the bells will fall silent.

“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.”

If the bell does not bong for four years, it would be the longest period Big Ben has been silenced in its 157- year history.

The 13.7-tonne Great Bell was last stopped for maintenance in 2007 and before that was halted for two years in 1983 for refurbishment, but has been stopped on a number of other occasions since it first sounded in 1859.

Parliamentary officials have insisted workers’ hearing would be put at “serious risk” if the bell continued chiming. The £29m renovation includes the installation of a lift and repairs to the clock’s hands, mechanism and pendulum.