Why Is Big Ben Going Silent For Four Years? A Guide To The Issue That Made Britain Lose It

Big Ben has gone silent for what will be the longest period in its 157-year history.
The British are meant to be reluctant to show emotion but at midday on Monday, when the bell rang for the last time for four years, one MP shed a tear. He was at a vigil - yes, a vigil - where politicians, tourists and media gathered and some had, as one convenor described it, “heads bowed and hope in our hearts”.
It follows an explosion of outrage in the press. The Daily Mail called it a &