Big Ben to be renamed after queen Elizabeth
02 Jun 2012
Most of us would think the renaming of public monuments or places after contemporary leaders is an Indian idiosyncrasy, but it turns out to be a global phenomenon.
British prime minister David Cameron and 330 other lawmakers are seeking to rename London's famous Big Ben clock tower as the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the queen's diamond jubilee.
''It is great news tht so many MPs from across the house are backing what would be a fitting tribute to the queen,'' Cameron said on Saturday. ''I hope it will now move ahead.'' The four-day celebrations to mark Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee began on Saturday in the UK.
The idea to rename Big Ben was first mooted by Tobias Ellwood, a parliamentary private secretary at the foreign office. ''I am extremely pleased that colleagues from across the house, both front and back bench, have supported this initiative,'' said Ellwood.
''Commemorating an iconic landmark is indeed a truly exceptional tribute and I am grateful that the majority of MPs believe the queen deserves such an outstanding accolade.''
The move got support even from the opposition Labour party, with Ed Miliband, its leader, describing it as ''fantastic news.''
