Speaker switches on Ayrton Light to mark historic anniversary

Accompanied by two Chelsea Pensioners – one a WW2 veteran, the other who was a child during the blackout – Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he ‘felt honoured to mark the historic moment with such brave men.’ 

Back in 1945, Colonel Douglas Clifton Brown – Speaker from 1943 to 1951 – interrupted an adjournment debate to announce that he would be switching on the lantern above Big Ben five years, seven months, and 23 days after it was extinguished for the blackout. 

At the time, MPs were sitting in the House of Lords Chamber, because the House of Commons had been completely destroyed during the Blitz of May 1941. 

Col Clifton Brown turned on the Ayrton Light using a switch beside the Speaker’s Chair, and uttered the following words: 

'In peacetime the lantern light above, Big Ben always shone out after sunset in order to show that the House of Commons was at work.  

‘For five years, seven months, and 23 days this light has now been extinguished. When I press this switch our lantern light will shine once more. 

‘In doing so I pray that with God’s blessing, this light will shine henceforth not only as an outward and visible sign that the Parliament of a free people is assembled in free debate, but also that it may shine as a beacon of sure hope in a sadly torn and distracted world.’ 

According to reports at the time, the illumination of the Ayrton Light attracted cheers from crowds of people in Parliament Square and along Bridge Street. 

On Thursday evening, Mr Speaker was joined by John Morris, 103, who served as a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft gunner during the Blitz and the Battle of Britain - and is the last surviving member of the elite Raiding Support Regiment. 

Also at the top of the tower was Tony Hunt, 85, who was seven years old on VE Day and remembered the novelty of seeing lights returning after blackout regulations ended. 

The Chelsea Pensioners spoke of their memories before Mr Speaker read the words of his predecessor and the Ayrton Light was switched back on. 

Mr Hunt said:

‘One minute we were making sure the blinds were down and diving into air-raid shelters for safety in the dark because the sirens were sounding – the next, cars and buses had their headlights on, and it was a different world. 

‘We had street parties, played cricket in the streets, and families were reunited – it was a very special time.’ 

Mr Morris was in Italy when VE Day was declared on 8 May 1945, and said he felt that ‘somebody up there is looking after me’ because he escaped the war unscathed - only to survive one of the worst cruise ship disasters. 

Sir Lindsay said it was ‘an incredible privilege to recreate such a symbolic moment in our history, with two Armed Forces veterans who remember what it was like to realise that peace was returning after six long years at war. 

‘Turning on the Ayrton Light was important to Speaker Clifton Brown because it showed that democracy had survived the war and it is something we have held dear ever since.’ 

The Ayrton Light, known then as the ‘signal light’, had been switched off - when blackout regulations were imposed on 1 September 1939 - to prevent the tower and Parliament from being a target. 

The sound of the bells of Big Ben were already a symbol of freedom because they had been allowed to ring throughout the war - and they were heard daily on the radio - which proved that at least one country was still free. 

As the Russians encircled Berlin in the final weeks of war but before British lighting restrictions were officially lifted, Speaker Clifton Brown decided to switch on the Ayrton Light to show that ‘the Parliament of a free people’ was in session, and that hope was returning. 

The clock dial lights were put back on at 10.15pm on 30 April to symbolise the end of the blackout in London.