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MPs to gather for Big Ben's bongs ahead of silencing Big Ben falls silent for repairs
(about 9 hours later)
A group of MPs plan to gather outside Parliament for Big Ben's chimes later, before it falls silent for essential repair work to take place. Big Ben has fallen silent for major repair work expected to last until 2021.
The bongs will sound at midday and are expected to be disconnected until 2021. The midday bongs were the last regular chimes from the famous bell until the repairs to its tower are complete.
Labour MP Stephen Pound said he hoped at least 20 "traditionalists" would gather "with our heads bowed". It will still be used for special occasions, including New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday.
The House of Commons has said it will look again at the length of time Big Ben will be silenced amid "concerns". There were cheers and applause from a crowd of tourists and onlookers, including some MPs, on the green opposite as the final chime rang out.
The bell is to be put out of use - except for special occasions - to allow repairs to the surrounding Elizabeth Tower. The decision to switch it off to protect workers' hearing has sparked a debate about the length of time it will be silent, with MPs not being told it would be four years, the longest period in its history.
Parliament said it must protect workers carrying out the renovations but Prime Minister Theresa May has said "it can't be right" that the famous bongs will not be heard again until 2021 and has asked for the proposals to be reviewed. Prime Minister Theresa May has said "it can't be right" that the famous bongs will not be heard again until 2021 and has asked for the proposals to be reviewed.
Mr Pound, MP for Ealing North, said: "There's going to be a small group of us standing there with bowed heads in the courtyard... a group of like-minded traditionalists. The House of Commons has said it will look again at the length of time Big Ben will be silenced after "concerns" were raised.
"We'll be stood down there with heads bowed but hope in our hearts." The 13.7-tonne Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years and last fell silent in 2007. The Great Clock it forms part of is to be dismantled and repaired.
'Get a grip' Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake, a member of the House of Commons Commission, said one concession to critics could be allowing Big Ben to chime on special occasions.
But some MPs have made fun of Mr Pound's suggestion. But he said it was "too early to say" whether it would be used on the day the UK leaves the EU in March 2019, as demanded by some Eurosceptic Conservative MPs.
Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, wrote on Twitter that she hoped MPs might realise "how ridiculous we look", adding "I tell you what is a shame, work place induced deafness". He added: "I understand why people would get excited about Big Ben and the Elizabeth Tower and the clock because they are so symbolic and people come from all over the world to have their photographs taken in front of it, and that's why we need to ensure that these works happen to ensure that this symbol of our Parliament, our nation, is available for people to relish for years to come."
Fellow Labour MP Wes Streeting responded: "I will be sat with a good book instead. #getagrip." The roof of the Elizabeth Tower will be stripped off and restored, the bell frame repaired, leaks into the clock room stemmed and a lift installed.
The Great Bell has sounded on the hour for 157 years and last fell silent in 2007. A brick enclosure in the tower will also be replaced with glass to allow Big Ben to be viewed by people walking up the staircase.
It will still sound for important events including New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday. The "drab" colour scheme on the Great Clock will also be changed to give it a more "vibrant" look, officials have said.
The Ayrton Light, which shines when the Commons and Lords are sitting, will be "off for some time" but the timescale will not be finalised until later this year.