Last bongs for Big Ben as four-year repairs begin

It took 2 years to build 

Really? I've read the Elizabeth Tower took 16 years to build, and was five years behind schedule as is the tradition with such public projects.

Just do the bongs once a day at 4:20 as a way to keep calm and carry on.

To run for 157 years without a major service is a great testament to the British engineers who designed and built it.

The bongs are a venerated part of British life, used at the start of radio and TV newscasts and the midnight countdown to New Year's Day.

Yeah, it's part of British (esp. London) culture but it's hardly "venerated".

Andrea Leadsom, the Leader of the House of Commons, held emergency talks on Friday with Speaker John Bercow, who chairs the Commons panel that approved the measures.

Emergency talks. There's more to be concerned about in the UK than a clock, no matter how fancy it is.

Save the NHS, for starters.

Emergency talks. There's more to be concerned about in the UK than a clock, no matter how fancy it is.

Save the NHS, for starters.

Yep. Silly, patriotic fluff certain members of the right seem to get off on.

I'd say May should get on with addressing serious matters but given her incompetence, I don't know if that would be helpful.

I'd say May should get on with addressing serious matters but given her incompetence, I don't know if that would be helpful.

Going on the Tory record so far, the country will likely do better with her worrying over a clock bong than trying to do anything political.

A YouGov poll published Saturday found that 44 percent of Britons believe Big Ben should be silenced during the renovations, except for special occasions, while 41 percent said it should operate as normal.

Not much different from the referendum split, and that decided a permanent mistake. Let the bong be gone, it's only for four years.

Storm in a teacup. Just get the darn thing renovated.

MPs need to get their priorities straight. The Elizabeth Tower is still there, the clock still functions. Get a grip.

Two years to plan the renovation and not one person asked what happens to the hourly bongs. I see stupid people and they are running our public services.

I see stupid people and they are running our public services.

I'm sure your public services will not screech to a juddering halt with the temporary absence of the chimes.

Iirc; people still have watches and mobiles in the UK?

The bell ends for now but in the meantime, enjoy the wind up.

Last Bongs for Big Ben,

Sounds like the title for a stoner porno.