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By IBTimes Staff Reporter: Subscribe to IBTimes's RSS feed | June 27, 2012 7:22 AM GMT
Big Ben, parliament's iconic clock tower, will be legally renamed Elizabeth Tower in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.
According to the BBC, a motion was examined by the House of Commons Commission, which oversees House administration, to consider the change "in recognition of Her Majesty's 60 years of unbroken public service on behalf of her country". A letter circulated by Tory MP Tobias Ellwood was supported by David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband.
With the commission's agreement, the name change can legally go ahead.
According to the News Tribune, a House of Commons Commission statement said arrangements were being made for the "decision to be implemented in an appropriate manner in due course".
Prime Minister David Cameron said the new name was a "fitting tribute to the Queen and the service she has given our country." Labour's Ed Miliband said the honour "rightly recognised Queen Elizabeth's lifetime of dedication and tireless service".
In spite of enthusiasm for the name change, a YouGov poll in May found that almost half of those asked opposed it and only 30 percent supported the idea.
"Big Ben is so old and iconic, what is the sense in changing its name? All over the world people won't understand what the Elizabeth Tower is," said Romanian tourist Mara Ciortescu.
The 315ft (96 metre) tower, named after the 27,000lb (12,000kg) bell it houses, is one of Britain's best-known historic landmarks. The tower was completed in 1860 and there are 393 steps to the top.
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