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Since Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives won a large
majority at a December election, Britain's EU exit at the end of
January has become a certainty. Lawmakers will on Tuesday
continue debating the legislation required to enact it.
A group of pro-Brexit members of parliament had put forward an
amendment to that legislation, seeking to enshrine in law that
Big Ben should be sounded at 2300 GMT on Jan. 31, the moment
Brexit is officially due to take place.
The amendment was not selected for a vote on Tuesday, meaning
the lawmakers first attempt to ensure Big Ben chimes for Brexit
has failed. There are other routes they can use to win their bid
however.
The 13.7-tonne bell has been largely silent since 2017 while
renovation works are carried out on the Elizabeth Tower which
houses it, sounding only for important events such as New Year's
Eve celebrations.
The work on the tower, one of Britain's most photographed
buildings, is not due to be completed until 2021.
"Regardless of allegiance to Leave or Remain, this will
undoubtedly be an iconic moment in this country’s history,"
Conservative lawmaker Mark Francois, who put forward the
amendment, wrote in an article for the ConservativeHome website.
"To mark this momentous occasion, I, along with 50 other Members
of Parliament, am now campaigning to allow Big Ben to chime our
freedom as well."
The amendment had been signed by more than 40 lawmakers, mainly
Conservatives.
It demanded the occasion "be marked by the sounding of the
hourly chimes including eleven strikes of the principal bell
(Big Ben) of the Great Clock in the Elizabeth Tower of the
Houses of Parliament".
(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, editing by Estelle Shirbon)
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