Posted on 03/24/2012 4:39:04 AM PDT by JoeProBono
LONDON, -- A group of British legislators want to rename one of London's most famous landmarks, Big Ben, to honor Queen Elizabeth II.
In an early day motion, 23 members of Parliament said renaming the east tower of the Houses of Parliament the Elizabeth Tower would be an appropriate gesture in her Diamond Jubilee Year, The Guardian reported. They pointed out that the west tower was named after Queen Victoria in 1860 and paid tribute to the reigning queen's "energy, wisdom and grace."
Most of the group are Conservatives, although Jack Straw, a Labor foreign secretary, endorsed the proposal.
While Big Ben technically refers only to the bell that rings out the famous chimes, the name is also used for the clock and the tower.
Graham Smith of Republic, a group that wants to abolish the monarchy, called the plan "crass and profoundly inappropriate."
"That parliament is there for everybody and the idea that you're going to turn a major feature of our parliament into a tribute to an unelected, unaccountable head of state completely stands against absolutely everything that democracy's about," Smith said. "It's absolutely obscene."
Elizabeth has reigned longer than any other British sovereign except Victoria, her great-great-grandmother. But she has also reigned with less power than any other British monarch as a strictly symbolic figure.
I think that they should rename it for Richard Branson.
Yes, Big Freddie (Mercury) seems to fit its shape.
Big Liz?
I really despise people sucking up to living royalty/politicians (pretty much the same) while they are still living. There is the all prevalent brown nosing aspect of this, plus the fact that all people are fallible, and often are tarnished resulting in a bad name being attached to a everyday feature.
I'm sure the queen is a fine old gal, but this is really stupid.
This article got me thinking that the English were certainly better off when their monarchy had more power. Once the crown became merely a figure head, the British became a pale version of their former selves. I am sure I am oversimplifying their history but having had a monarchy for centuries had to do something to the English character. I would think that that character is one which responds to a monarchy; this is proven by the continuance of one even in symbolic form. I feel this way as well about all of those countries that gained their independence after World War 2 and to this day are impoverished and war torn. They certainly were in a better state when Britain was an Empire. Democracy and Republican values are not for every one. America was built by people who embodied those values which is why America works as a democratic society. My ancestors were the kind of people who were willing to brave a long ocean voyage and come to a new world, knowing no one in order to start a new life. That story is retold millions of times in the history of countless American families. But it was because those immigrants had a certain sense of adventure and independence that they were set apart from others in their former countries. I know it is too late for England to reclaim its former grandeur but they might want to ponder what brought them to that greatness in a world they once ruled.
Big Beth!!!!
They are just being silly.
Big Bess?
The QB for the Steelers will be Elizabeth Roethlisberger!!!
Some things should stay the same. Tradition should mean something. Leave it as Big Ben, and name something else for the Queen
Big Queen??
Big Betty!
Long live the Clocktower!
I’ve often thought of that myself. I think what they did was to keep their “serf” mentality when power transferred from the monarchy to the PM and Parliament. The lower classes were used to being “kept” by the state. The independence-spirited Englishmen went to America.
Big Liz?
Big Bull Crap — King and Queen are just more dictators.
bmwcyle
Since Oct 15, 1998
Big Bull Crap
ARE YOU SERIES?
Yes, I believe in a Republic not a blood line of Bull Crap rulers.
bmwcyle
Since Oct 15, 1998
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE .....so to speak
Besides being a tourist attraction, what has she done?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.