Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Ayrton Light being switched on after World War II. Initially turned off in 1939 to comply with blackout regulations, the light symbolized hope for a returned peace. Hoyle's ceremony included Chelsea Pensioners reflecting on their experiences post-Victory in Europe Day, emphasizing how lifting the blackout transformed daily life. His predecessor’s memorial speech served to remind Parliament of its historic significance during turbulent times.
In 1945, then Commons Speaker Col Clifton Brown interrupted a parliamentary debate to tell MPs that after five years, seven months and 23 days, he was turning the light back on.
In recreating this moment, Sir Lindsay Hoyle acknowledged it was "an incredible privilege to recreate such a symbolic moment in our history."
Mr Hunt compared the switch back on to a transformed world, saying, "One minute we were making sure... the next, cars and buses had their headlights on, and it was a different world."
Clifton Brown expressed hope for the light, remarking it should shine "as a beacon of sure hope in a sadly torn and distracted world."
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