An overwhelming majority of those surveyed believe the famous bell should ring out “loud and clear” in London to celebrate Britain’s historic exit from the European Union. On Monday, the House of Commons Commission ruled out the idea after it was revealed costs could soar to £500,000 for every chime – up from the original estimate of £120,000. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the Government was working on a plan to fund the costs to enable the bell to bong.
In a poll of more than 5,500 Express.co.uk readers, almost nine-in-ten thought Big Ben should sound out in just 16 days time.
The survey conducted on Tuesday January 13, between 11.21am to 5.18pm, asked 5,538 readers “Should the Big Ben bongs ring out for Brexit?”.
A huge 89 percent (4,909) voted “yes” and thought the famous landmark should be heard across the capital.
Just 10 percent (595) voted “no” and thought the occasion was not worthy of Big Ben’s chimes.
Meanwhile less than one percent (34) of those asked remained unsure and voted ‘Don’t know’.
Passionate readers flocked to the Express.co.uk comments section to make their voice heard.
One reader said: “I think every town clock and church bell and anything else you can think of should ring out LOUD and CLEAR for Brexit!
“Its the best thing that has happened to this country for over 40 years!”
A second user commented: “It is a symbol of Great Britain becoming an Independent nation again, and should be marked. The cost is a drop in the ocean against what the EU is milking us for!”
A third reader said: “Ring out My old friend….LOUDLY AND PROUDLY.”
Another added: “Every bell in the country should be rung to celebrate our escape from the EU.”
Meanwhile, a fifth simply said: “RING OUT LOUDLY AND PROUDLY.”
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who is chairman of the Commission, said it would cost around £50,000 per bong if Big Ben were to chime at the end of the month.
It would require the installation of a temporary floor, re-attaching the striking mechanism and put back the refurbishment works by up to four weeks – at a cost of £100,000 every seven days.
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Tory Eurosceptic Mark Francois who led efforts within parliament for Big Ben to bong said he was “disappointed” by the decision of the committee and offered to ring the bell himself.
Mr Francois said: “I’ve already offered to go up Big Ben myself, ably assisted by Bill Cash, to ring the bell myself to save money.
“If all else fails, the BBC must have a recording of Big Ben chiming they could play at 11pm at no cost whatsoever to taxpayers.”
Big Ben has been temporarily silenced since 2017 for the safety of workers involved in the four-year restoration of the Elizabeth Tower.
The famous clock has chimed since to mark occasions such as Remembrance Sunday and New Years Eve.
