Big Ben should bong Britain out of EU on day of Brexit, say MPs

Big Ben should ‘bong’ Britain out of the European Union on the day of Brexit, Leave-supporting Conservative MPs have said.

The famous Great Bell will be silenced after noon on Monday as four years of maintenance work begins – a move that sparked a backlash among politicians, including PM Theresa May.

Parliament has since said it will review plans to silence the chimes but authorities have not confirmed when they will start again, including whether Big Ben will bong on Brexit day.

Earlier this year, Downing Street said Britain would leave the EU “when Big Ben bongs midnight” on March 29 2019, the deadline for the two-year Article 50 withdrawal process – something Leave-voting Tory MPs have said that should definitely happen despite the renovation work.

Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg told the Daily Mail: “I think Big Ben ought to be kept striking as much as possible during the repairs as long as it doesn’t deafen the work force. It would be symbolically uplifting for it to sound out our departure from the EU as a literally ringing endorsement of democracy.”

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 self-governing country. Where will the eyes of the world be? On Parliament and Big Ben.”

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“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 for the immediate future, 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.

“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 given those requirements.”

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.

A YouGov poll of nearly 5,000 Britons found that more believe Big Ben should be silenced during the renovations (44%), except for special occasions, than those who think a way should be found to keep it operating as normal during the work (41%).