26/06/2012

Big Ben To Be Renamed After Queen

The iconic clock tower housing the Big Ben bell in London is to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honour of the Queen's sixty-year reign.

It follows a campaign backed by most MPs and the three main party leaders to rename that part of the Palace of Westminster.

House of Commons authorities have now agreed the change.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, whose constituency is Bournemouth East, originally proposed the idea in an early day motion backed by 40 MPs.

More than half of MPs, including David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband, backed a letter of support.

The prime minister and the Labour leader have both described the move as a "fitting tribute" to the Queen.

The House of Commons Commission said it "will arrange for this decision to be implemented in an appropriate manner in due course".

The clock and tower at Westminster are commonly known around the world as Big Ben - which was the nickname originally given to the 13.5 tonne bell within the tower.

(NE)

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