Britain needs Big Ben

Britain’s democratic values are symbolised by Parliament at the Palace of Westminster. That is why the chimes of Big Ben should not be silenced. Now more than ever we need icons of national pride rooted in our traditions of liberty and the rule of law.

Big Ben is scheduled to stop ringing as of tomorrow, when renovation work begins on Elizabeth Tower. Those who know the mechanism well say this is unnecessary; the Prime Minister has urged a review. As we report today, the Lord Speaker feels that he was not consulted properly. At the heart of the matter sits the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, and his involvement reflects everything we have come to expect of him.

Mr Bercow seems to regard himself as some sort of unofficial president. He has tried to remake the Commons in his own, untraditional image and has spoken out on matters of policy in a highly unusual way; the Speaker has let it be known that he voted Remain. His behaviour is constitutionally irregular given the understanding that the Speaker’s role is about process rather than the details of legislation. But there is a feeling in the Commons that Mr Bercow cannot always be trusted to be objective, and that the silencing of Big Ben is one more manifestation of his ridiculous grandiosity.

The decision should be reversed. Elizabeth Tower reflects a glorious era when Britons were proud of their democracy and wanted to send the message that their country was modern, rational and open for business. Where else but Britain would rest its identity on a timepiece? As the legislative battle for Brexit begins – and no amount of parliamentary skullduggery should be allowed to stop what the people voted for – we need our democracy to ring out with the clarity of a bell.