London: The tower holding the iconic Big Ben, the great bell of the clock looming over the Palace of Westminster in London, should be renamed as Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen, a group of British MPs has demanded.
In fact, the MPs are calling on Parliament’s authorities to recognise the Monarch’s 60 years on the throne by mirroring a tribute paid to Queen Victoria. In 1860, the west tower of the Palace of Westminster, originally called The King’s Tower, was renamed the Victoria Tower to commemorate her long reign.
The cross-party group of MPs, led by Foreign Office aide Tobias Ellwood, is calling for the tower to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in June to mark the UK Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the ‘Daily Mail’ reported.
The campaign also has the support of Cabinet ministers, including Commons Leader Sir George Young, as well as senior figures in the two other main parties. They want the House of Commons Commission, the august body which runs the Commons, to approve the name change.
“I can’t think of a greater tribute for Parliament to bestow on Her Majesty than the naming of such a landmark as the Clock Tower. If we get the support I hope we will, I would like to see a formal announcement or a ceremony taking place on June 2,” Ellwood was quoted as saying.
Former Labour foreign secretary and Lord Chancellor Jack Straw added: “I think it’s a very fitting tribute to a Monarch who has served the country so well.” Labour’s shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said: “The Queen and the Clock Tower are known throughout the world. It’d be brilliant if we could celebrate 60 years of service with a permanent monument to Her Majesty’s dedication.” (PTI)