Brexit: Here’s what I won’t be doing on 31 January – Steve Cardownie

AT the time of writing it is not certain whether Big Ben will ring out on the 31st of this month to signal the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Apparently there is a fierce debate in Parliament on whether public money should be devoted to this event or whether Johnson’s ludicrous “bung a bob for a Big Ben bong” will raise sufficient cash to cover the cost.

I witnessed one apoplectic Tory MP saying on television that Big Ben is a clock that is known throughout the world and should play a central role in any celebrations. Ignoring the fact that he seemed to be unaware that Big Ben is the bell inside the clock and not the clock itself, he obviously thought that it was money well spent.

Various estimates have been flying around, with £500,000 – a hefty sum in anyone’s language – being the most quoted but despite the fact that the Leavers will be able to bask in the glow of a laser show in Downing Street with Whitehall being lit up to coincide with Johnson’s televised address “to the nation” (the UK is not a nation) along with other staged events, some are still not satisfied and want Big Ben to chime no matter the cost.

I for one will not be tuning into the BBC to witness this spectacle but will content myself with watching something (anything) else!