Let Big Ben chime out on Brexit Day plead Conservative MPs

CONSERVATIVE MPs who are members of the pro-Brexit European Research Group are determined that Big Ben should ring out on Brexit Day regardless of cost.

60 MPs including Mark Francois, Iain Duncan Smith, Bill Cash and John Redwood have written to the Daily Telegraph saying that the chiming of the bell should take place in order to celebrate such a momentous event.

They argue that after years of disharmony within parliament and the country, such a public display would help to bring closure to the disagreements and untie the country as it moves forwards.

When questioned, a spokesman for the House of Commons confirmed that there would be a cost involved in taking such an action and it would put back the work in renovating the clock and Elizabeth Tower in which the Big Ben bell is housed.

The spokesman told the Telegraph “The project team would need at least two weeks to prepare for striking Big Ben on January 31, including carrying out the necessary testing.”

Then added, “The final cost will depend on the scale and nature of the disruption to the works. In broad terms, the estimated cost is £120,000 (€132,000) to sound the bell, plus circa £100,000 (€110,000) for each week of delays.

“This estimate is based on the fixed cost of installing, testing, operating and dismantling the temporary mechanism used to sound the bell during the works, plus an allowance for each week that work on the project is delayed.”

Previously, MP Francois said that if the proposal is not approved he will “take a big hammer up there and bong it myself”.