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.
Dopey idea, She should nix it.
Provided work for lots of paparazzi.
Tradition should mean something. Leave it as Big Ben, and name something else for the Queen
I agree. There has to be many other items that can be named after her. I have no problem with maybe new buildings being named in her honor as I think she deserves it, but not something like “Big Ben”.
What she has done is conduct herself with dignity, class, discretion and some charm. She acts in a manner befitting her office, that brings credit to her nation. What more could she do? (Okay, besides having Boris Johnson beheaded and Robert Fisk clapped in irons in the Tower of London.)
Mick Jagger - Big Mick!
This idea is so stupid.
“I’ve often thought of that myself.”
I am glad I am not the only one! You put it succinctly when you said the “serf” mentality. I agree. You just don’t breed that out in a century.
The correct name of the tower (as opposed to the bell) is St.Stephen’s Tower.
It would bel ike renaming the Statue of Liberty ,the Statue of Taxation.
Why can’t people just leave well enough alone?
Nobody will remember to call it “Big Liz” it will always be “Big Ben”
I think “Big Betty” is really memorable, but that’s just one man’s opinion.
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