High hopes for a 'dignified and imaginative resolution' on Big Ben chimes
2 min read
Labour MP Stephen Pound argues that the tolling of Big Ben is a symbol of strength and stability in a dark and dangerous world.
It cannot be denied that the disconnection of the great bell in the Elizabeth Tower for at last four years has struck a chord with the nation and even the global community.
The abuse level has been turned up pretty high in terms of e-mails and ‘phone calls received since I expressed a view that the beloved bongs should be saved, but the view from my constituency has been generally supportive.
The common theme among the anti-bongers is the assertion that in a grim and terrible world with horrors ranging from Barcelona to Brexit then MPs like myself should ignore the silencing of the bell and bend every sinew to defeating Da’esh and solving the border problem in Ireland.
I would make the case that the world is indeed a dark and dangerous place at the moment which I suggest is one of the reasons we need to be able to refer to the strength of a symbol of strength and stability like Big Ben.
Let me make one thing absolutely clear – I fight with every breath in my body to defend the rights of workers to operate in a safe environment and if there was absolutely no alternative then I’d reluctantly go along with the great silencing to defend the people working on the Tower.
My point is that there seems to have been no thought given to the operating of a parallel process or for modern sound attenuation or decibel damping to be brought into play in order that we can continue to hear reassurance in the key of E rolling out from the heart of our democracy, while respecting and defending the rights of the workforce.
For the first time ever I find myself in the same corner as Jacob Rees-Mogg and whilst I’m not sure who loses most by the association, I am prepared to take allies where I find them and have high hopes for a dignified and imaginative resolution to the problem.
Stephen Pound is the Labour MP for Ealing North
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