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MPs plan vigil to mourn final Big Ben bongs 'with heads bowed and hope in our hearts'

Big Ben and Westminster Palace - © 2012 Cyrielle Beaubois
Big Ben and Westminster Palace - © 2012 Cyrielle Beaubois

MPs are expected to gather outside Parliament today to witness Big Ben's bongs for the last time before it falls silent for four years of renovation works. 

Stephen Pound, the Labour MP, said he believed at least 20 "traditionalists" would gather "with our heads bowed and hope in our hearts" for "silence at noon." 

It comes after a battle in Parliament over the silencing of Big Ben and concerns over the symbolism of turning off one of Britain’s most famous landmarks.

Stephen Pound MP 
Stephen Pound MP

Mr Pound told The Telegraph: "There are a group of us who are going to stand there with heads bowed and hope in our hearts, in supplication and sadness, marking the passing of this great tradition of ours.

"There will be quite a few of the House of Commons staff and police officers recognising the passing of something that you don't know you've got until it's gone.

"When the bells do fall silent we will start to regret it and we're going to miss it. It's going to be silence at noon and a great sadness."

A specialist technical abseil team clean and inspect one of the four faces of the Great Clock, otherwise known as Big Ben - Credit: Yui Mok/PA 
A specialist technical abseil team clean and inspect one of the four faces of the Great Clock, otherwise known as Big Ben Credit: Yui Mok/PA

MPs have called for the authorities to find a way to ensure Big Ben continues to ring out during a £29 million renovation of the Elizabeth Tower.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, has also urged the House of Commons Commission to rethink the plans.

After coming under intense pressure, officials announced last week that the plan will be reviewed when MPs return to the Commons in September.