Big Ben Bong.

I celebrated on the Friday after the results of the referendum were announced. As far as I'm concerned we left the EU then!

Callistemon, Craftycat and others^ - because, as you will see from several posts above, the bell housing, clock, lighting and tower is all under refurbishment.

It stopped ringing in August 2017, paused until 2021. There are major workings going on. I think it cost something like £60million?
Given that it would cost £500,000 to get it going (once) for this one set of chiming implies that it’s a lot of work.

So, the twat in number ten wants us to crowd fund Big Ben ringing in the demise of the UK and our grandchildren’s future. Money better spent on the increasing number of homeless people that this governments punitive austerity has produced.

I misunderstood this. I thought that they wanted donations from people who wanted to hear BBB but that the donations would go to a worthy cause.
"Donate a pound a bong for charity" has a certain ring to it.
(Sorry about the pun)

Why would it cost that much anyway?

It’s definitely something to celebrate, but I don’t think Big Ben should be rung at such cost.

We have the whole future to celebrate this wondrous occasion, with or without the bongs.

Money could be better used

It cannot be a waste of money when it comes from voluntary donations, the donors would have decided.

All this fuss over nothing! If I want to donate money to a legal cause then that is my prerogative and I do not need others telling me it is a waste of money! It is not yours so why are many of you who are no doubt disgruntled over the election result, chiming in out ones use of private money? Anyway I understand Lord Ashton or one of his ilk is underwriting it and will pay for Big Ben to ring.
Cheer up for goodness sake!

Some of us won't want to celebrate; it'll be a death knell

There have been Euro sceptics, long before Mr Farage appeared.

In Government.

Definitely not!! Not in my name, now or ever. I cannot understand why people want to leave the EU. Before Mr Farage opened his mouth, there was no mention of leaving. No return to The Empire for me thank you and do not waste public funds on something so divisive!!
Shameful country we are becoming in some sectors!!!

What an utter waste of money, is this because Big Ben is out of action at present! Did it not ring on New Years Eve and that didnt cost, why should it cost now.Donations should go to a worthy course,what about helping people in Australia whre they really need help, and certainly wouldnt bother if they didnt hear or see Big Ben on the B day.This is beyond my comprehension.

I shall raise a glass to the freedom we will be getting from Brussels. No more interference from the EU. I don't think we need to pay money to ring bells for the great liberation. Just being liberated will be enough. I agree the money could be better spent.

i thought it rang on New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Day!
How much did it cost for those two occasions???

We're a free country, those who wish to celebrate can, and those who don't wish to celebrate don't have to. Me? I'll be partying "like it's 1999" . Break out the bubbly!

Demeaning and crass.
How much lower can this country go?
Oh yes, I forget....prepare to become the 51st state.

My point was that if money was to be raised then it would be better used for something worthwhile. All that money for the sake of replacing the ‘bong’. which will then have to be taken out again.
Personally I won’t be celebrating anyway.

Waste of money......make donations to the poor or even support buses in rural areas.
Do something constructive with the money to celebrate leaving...though I do wonder if celebrate is the right word....

It would be so much better if people didn't drop the litter in the first place - I see photos on 'Facebook' of the area that I grew up and there isn't a single piece of litter in the streets.

As for Big Ben, the wonderful 'bongs' are the background music of London, and our nation. I am at a loss to see how it can possibly cost half a million for ten bongs, but hey ho - someone is hoping for some extra good overtime to flick a few switches, and I don't think we should be 'ripped off' . Perhaps, as had been suggested, a recording? We do need something to mark the end of the years of wrangling, which I for one will be celebrating. Free at last!

Big Ben is a national institution. As a nation, half of us won't be celebrating our departure from the EU so this has to be insensitivity at the least and quite possibly aggravation.

Perhaps - given that Brexit allegedly means millions extra going into the NHS - the money could be donated to this cause instead of a ring of BB to mark the start of this wonderful new future for health funding?

I will be there if the bell is going ring. If not, a party where there will a lot of British sparkling wine ???

hear not 'here'. Damn phone!

What a waste of money!

As Brexit has already cost £200 billion, more than 47 years of contributions to the EU, there is absolutely no point in wasting any more money ringing bells.

January 31st just marks the start of Brexit - it will be sometime before it is complete!