Tinkering for Brexit: dispute over Big Ben is widening

Updated January 17, 2020, 11:51 p.m.

Top Brexiteer Nigel Farage fears international embarrassment if Big Ben does not ring for Brexit. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on the other hand, wants to heal the wounds of the split.

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The dispute over Big Ben ‘s chime United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum takes on more and more bizarre features. The head of the Brexit party, Nigel Farage, accused the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday before deceiving the public. The Prime Minister had encouraged donations on Tuesday to cover the estimated cost of £ 500,000. The clock tower of the Parliament is currently being extensively restored. The chime can therefore only be heard on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve.

Fear of global ridicule

On a donation platform under the motto “Big Ben must bong for Brexit” on the Internet, more than 225,000 pounds (equivalent to 264,000 euros) were received by Friday evening. The government has since distanced itself from the project. It was a matter for Parliament and that indicated that it would not accept donations for this purpose, said a government spokesman.

“I can already see how we are being mocked all over the world: Britain is leaving the EU and they can’t even ring the bell,” complained Farage.

Britain officially leaves the United States on the late evening of January 31st (11pm local time) EU excrete. Some Brexit hardliners want the big bell in Parliament’s clock tower to ring. The responsible parliamentary committee had decided against it because of the high costs. Among other things, a wooden floor removed since the last “bong” on New Year’s Eve would have to be retracted.

Can a tape replace the live tinkering?

Brexit hardliner Farage and others see it as an excuse. The head of the Brexit party wants to hold a party in front of the Parliament on the evening of January 31 and, if necessary, have a recording of the famous chime played. Strictly speaking, Big Ben means only the big bell in the clock tower of Parliament, the whole tower is popularly called that.

The government announced on Friday that the day of the exit should be used to heal the wounds of the split. For this purpose, a special cabinet meeting in the north of England should take place on January 31, which will deal with how wealth and opportunities can be distributed across the country.

50 pennies for Brexit

In the evening, Prime Minister Johnson would address the nation in a speech. At the government headquarters, the event will be celebrated with a countdown projected onto the walls of Downing Street. Surrounding buildings should also be illuminated and the Union Jack should be waving from all flagpoles in the square in front of the parliament. In addition, a 50-penny commemorative coin with the inscription “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all peoples” will come into circulation.

A similar coin had already been minted for the Brexit date on October 31, 2019. A million copies then had to be melted down after the EU exit was postponed. (Best / Reuters)