To BONG or not to BONG, that is the question

[cardigankid]

p1esk said:

Silkyskills said:

With the country split almost down the middle on Brexit and all of this talk of uniting the country what will sounding the bell do to help?

Remainers will see it as triumphalist and leavers will revel in it in front of remainers.

This won't help heal any wounds or bring the population together.

We're leaving, let it lie at that.

I'll go with that.

I shall just be glad to be out - and I hope it all works out well for our country as a whole.

+1 Fatuous idea and complete waste of money.

Some Tory prat was on Radio 4 this morning saying that the reason we aren't going to have any staff in our hotels was, according to a really successful Belgian businessman he had been speaking to, because in the UK we don't believe in investment or training.

Maybe the unwillingness to invest and train has something to do with priority given to short term gain for the benefit of the financial sector in the UK, though very little to do with the bogus training industry they have funded, and which no doubt funds them a bit in return.

Consider this:

Proportion of Companies with revenue over E50m family owned in Germany 45%
Proportion of Companies with revenue over E50m family owned in Britain 12%

Proportion of Limited Companies (not businesses which would be a far higher figure as most very small) in Germany, family owned 91%, producing 55% of corporate revenue.

That's the basic problem, that and the fact that young Brits don't want to work in hotels. What can I say, we didn't want nasty Europeans coming in and stealing our jobs, did we? Maybe Boris and some of his mates may like to do a bit of moonlighting.

Edited by cardigankid on Wednesday 15th January 13:55

[yellowjack]

Shakermaker said:

booboise blueboys said:

If you actually care about this country and Brexit then you should donate to this. Though I bet 99% wont even bother.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/big-ben-bongs-for-brexi...

Why would that show that I, or anyone, care about the country?

It wouldn't, and doesn't. I care about my country. I cared enough to serve in it's military for 25 years. I care enough to want to string litterbugs up by their ankles from lampposts, and to pick up litter I find in the street. But some "bongs" from a tower in La-La-Land? I couldn't give a stuff either way if it were a no-cost decision like throwing a switch or not. But it's a stupid idea simply down to the cost. Besides which, there are plenty of wealthy people who shouted very loudly about leaving the EU, and who can certainly afford to stump up some (or indeed all) of this £½million themselves, without expecting ordinary folk to put their hands in their pockets to ring a stupid sodding bell. It'ii just be another day. The Thames will neither freeze over nor dry up as a result of it, and the sun will rise and set as it does on any other day.

If everyone who voted to leave put in some cash, we'd need to raise 3 pence each to fund this. But I'm sorry to have to inform you that my 3 pence is currently MIA, either down the back of the sofa or under the driver's seat in my car. If I find it, I'll be sure to log in to that begging website and chuck it in the virtual pot...

[Mark Benson]

Let the obsessive remainers have their pyrrhic victory by thinking they've 'defeated' the obsessive brexiteers by keeping Big Ben silent.
There's going to be a party for those interested in Westminster square, I hear - good for them, I'm sure they'll commemorate the occasion, with or without the bell.


Meanwhile the rest of the country just gets on with things.

[Four Litre]

Fundoreen said:

Boris understands the simple folk well. They like little parties and festivals above all else. Thinking is a waste of time and makes you unhappy.
If things look wonky in 6mths time there will be the 6mths after bong event and they will become more frequent if needed.
Eventually it could bong all day to reassure.

Seems your a tad sore still? Time to move on, its happened, time to move forwards.

[Mobile Chicane]

The mere suggestion of 'bonging' - never mind a public subscription to fund it - merely illustrates what a monumental arse Johnson is.

[yellowjack]

Mark Benson said:

Let the obsessive remainers have their pyrrhic victory by thinking they've 'defeated' the obsessive brexiteers by keeping Big Ben silent.
There's going to be a party for those interested in Westminster square, I hear - good for them, I'm sure they'll commemorate the occasion, with or without the bell.


Meanwhile the rest of the country just gets on with things.

A party? Will there be cake? I'm only going if there are party rings and jammy dodgers too. Oh, and it'll need to be free, because getting the train up will be expensive. Or I could stay at home, and cook dinner, which I do most nights. And then I could watch something recorded on 'my shows' before switching over to the news, then selectively rewinding it so that I only hear stories which DON'T mention the bloody "B"-word.

Politicians, and more especially hardline supporters on BOTH sides need to get a reality check, and realise that the vast majority of people aren't massively bothered by this anymore. There was a vote. Most people who cast their vote made a choice then got on with life. They're still getting on with life. The majority didn't march in support of either side. This "bongs" question is important only to that small, but highly vocal minority on both sides. The campaigners, the marchers, the protesters. The rest of us got asked a question and answered it, and would now like real life to make a comeback.

Me? I'm wondering what the hell Boris & Co are hiding behind this faux outrage about a "bong" or two? You can't tell me that this country, nor it's involvement in world politics, is in such fine fettle that our elected leaders can afford to take their eye off the ball long enough to argue over silly bongs and frankly childish parties in Parliament Square. None of these "celebrations" of our exit from the EU should be publicly funded in any way, shape, or form. People who want to party should fund it themselves, or buddy up with someone who can afford to pay for it.

[SpeckledJim]

I'll certainly be celebrating in a quiet way, but it's definitely not something we need to do at a central, country level.

Around half of us will be very disappointed - we don't need a government-organised lightning rod for that disaffection.

We also don't want a 'celebration' to be the note upon which we begin the next phase of negotiations with the EU. It's hard to claim to be trying to find common ground when we've just made a highly visible (and audible) demonstration of how pleased we are to be different.

It's grown-ups time, please.

[Four Litre]

yellowjack said:

Mark Benson said:

Let the obsessive remainers have their pyrrhic victory by thinking they've 'defeated' the obsessive brexiteers by keeping Big Ben silent.
There's going to be a party for those interested in Westminster square, I hear - good for them, I'm sure they'll commemorate the occasion, with or without the bell.


Meanwhile the rest of the country just gets on with things.

A party? Will there be cake? I'm only going if there are party rings and jammy dodgers too. Oh, and it'll need to be free, because getting the train up will be expensive. Or I could stay at home, and cook dinner, which I do most nights. And then I could watch something recorded on 'my shows' before switching over to the news, then selectively rewinding it so that I only hear stories which DON'T mention the bloody "B"-word.

Politicians, and more especially hardline supporters on BOTH sides need to get a reality check, and realise that the vast majority of people aren't massively bothered by this anymore. There was a vote. Most people who cast their vote made a choice then got on with life. They're still getting on with life. The majority didn't march in support of either side. This "bongs" question is important only to that small, but highly vocal minority on both sides. The campaigners, the marchers, the protesters. The rest of us got asked a question and answered it, and would now like real life to make a comeback.

Me? I'm wondering what the hell Boris & Co are hiding behind this faux outrage about a "bong" or two? You can't tell me that this country, nor it's involvement in world politics, is in such fine fettle that our elected leaders can afford to take their eye off the ball long enough to argue over silly bongs and frankly childish parties in Parliament Square. None of these "celebrations" of our exit from the EU should be publicly funded in any way, shape, or form. People who want to party should fund it themselves, or buddy up with someone who can afford to pay for it.

Each to their own but I think its a pretty big deal. Its a massive change for us and the EU. We voted to go it alone and break from a business deal that went wildly wrong.

[Baby Shark doo doo doo doo]

I think it’s a great idea. Hopefully we’ll get a replacement loony political protester meme out of it

[irc]

Four Litre said:

Bongs for sure, this is something to celebrate, we are finally independent. Ask yourself what other country would not celebrate.

I'm thinking fireworks and possibly a yearly bank holiday to remember the fight against an external financial power trying to derail democracy that lost.

Agreed. Now what date? I suggest 23rd June to mark the date the people voted against the political establishment, the media, the Bank of England, Barack Obama, the EU, etc and took back sovereignty.

From a practical point of view a holiday near the longest day has the best chance of good weather for celebrations. Think the equivelent of the USA 4th of July celebrations. Beer, barbecue, and fireworks. I'm in!

[Tallow]

Brooking10 said:

Tyre Smoke said:

I'm an ardent leaver and see nothing of value in this at all.

It's a divisive waste of money. Triumphalist nonsense. Remember there were 48% of those that voted, voted to Remain. This is stupidity stirred up by the uneducated and unwashed. Have some humility.

Nail on head.

Exactly. Seems like classless willy waving to me. I would have thought that doing something quietly and with dignity is much more of what we aspire to as Brits. Certainly it seems to me that should be the example we want to set to the rest of the world as we go down a new path.

[Digga]

yellowjack said:

My bathroom will likely be in disarray at the time of our exit from the European Union. Do I demand that the plumber re-fits my toilet for the day so that I can take a massive celebratory/commiseratory* (delete as appropriate) dump in it at the moment the town crier reads out the proclamation?

I think you will regret it if you don't. You will never get that moment/movement again.

[crankedup]

Tallow said:

Brooking10 said:

Tyre Smoke said:

I'm an ardent leaver and see nothing of value in this at all.

It's a divisive waste of money. Triumphalist nonsense. Remember there were 48% of those that voted, voted to Remain. This is stupidity stirred up by the uneducated and unwashed. Have some humility.

Nail on head.

Exactly. Seems like classless willy waving to me. I would have thought that doing something quietly and with dignity is much more of what we aspire to as Brits. Certainly it seems to me that should be the example we want to set to the rest of the world as we go down a new path.

Seems to me that the tone was set years ago, remainers protesting in the streets. Some of their placards were daubed with comments slurring those of us who voted to leave the EU. Even now accusations are rife. Certainly I do not see those people or like minded holding the moral cards of class or dignity in their favour, rather the opposite is true.

[anonymous-user]

crankedup said:

Seems to me that the tone was set years ago, remainers protesting in the streets. Some of their placards were daubed with comments slurring those of us who voted to leave the EU. Even now accusations are rife. Certainly I do not see those people or like minded holding the moral cards of class or dignity in their favour, rather the opposite is true.

Unfortunately Crankie there are some people who will never accept the following in tandem.

1 - Some people who voted leave did so because they are stupid racists

2 - Some people who voted remain have proven to be stupid idealists

Both groups are stupid.

Neither reflects well on our country.

[Digga]

In principle, I don't object to the bonging.

It is a unique situation, of national import and, whatever your view, is highly significant.

Those who wish to celebrate will do so anyway, they will not hold back for a lack of bongs, but I do not think that is necessarily the whole intent of the bongs anyway.

[Gary29]

I think which ever camp you're in, we would all agree that spending £500K to ring a fking bell is a ridiculous waste of money.

Some contractor is having a laugh somewhere.

[Digga]

Gary29 said:

I think which ever camp you're in, we would all agree that spending £500K to ring a fking bell is ridiculous.

Some contractor is having a laugh somewhere.

Where would they find some powerfully built company directors to do the job for free I wonder?

[anonymous-user]

Digga said:

Where would they find some powerfully built company directors to do the job for free I wonder?

I know where there are some massive bells.............

[Digga]

Brooking10 said:

Digga said:

Where would they find some powerfully built company directors to do the job for free I wonder?

I know where there are some massive bells.............

[valiant]

I’d wait until you see what deal we’re actually leaving with before any celebrating starts...