Big Ben

[sir.prize]

being silenced on Wednesday during the funeral.

Bl00dy why?

[excelsior-1]

has an explanation not been given?

[jno]

ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee... unless you're Thatcher.

[chaptazbru]

^ LOL

[LazyGun]

^^ best answer right there :)

[Sipowicz]

Has someone dropped a clanger?

[LazyGun]

ok toss up between jno and sipowicz now for best answer :)

[jim360]

I don't really mind the idea of a massive funeral. But this is just silly.

[sir.prize]

Commons Speaker John Bercow told MPs this would be "an appropriate means of indicating our sentiments" during the occasion.

There was a "profound dignity through silence," Mr Bercow added.

Apparently his sentiments did not apply for the Queen Mother or Princess Diana.

[bookbinder]

This might remove the need for speculation:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22157022

[McMouse]

Her face usually rings a bell.

[ChillDoubt]

Maybe because the Queen Mother and Princess Diana hadn't been distinguished MP's/former Prime Ministers?

Just a guess.......

[LazyGun]

First they attempt to censor the Ding Dong on the BBC, now its silencing the Ding Dong of Big Ben - disgraceful! :)

[jake-the-peg]

Think yourself lucky it's not being renamed Big Maggie!

Apparently according to Boris Johnson she's now responsible for the fall of communism and the change to clause 4 in the Labour party's constitution (3 years after she left office)

I'm waiting to be told she invented the Internet!

[Zeuhl]

Knowing Big Ben I'm not surprised

He's never forgiven Lady T for taking away his school milk

[LazyGun]

They will be cutting off all the telephone services next :)

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

[mushroom25]

it would be really ironic if it turned out it couldn't be re-started afterwards...

[jim360]

She invented the internet shortly after finishing work on developing mobile phones, I thought everyone knew that...

[Titehead]

For the Great Lady I would imagine.

[ST24]

No Ding Dongs allowed.

[AliceTickband]

this is just too much now............

what about all our fallen servicemen?

they gave their all and no bl88dy prime minister even met them off the plane.

We usually put up our St George's flag up in the garden in time for april 23rd....not sure we will do it this time.