Diamond Jubilee: MPs Support Renaming Tower Housing Big Ben To Elizabeth Tower

Will Big Ben's Tower Be Renamed In Honour Of The Queen?

A campaign for the tower housing Big Ben to be renamed in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee has moved a step closer after it was revealed that a majority of MPs support the proposal.

Forty MPs have signed a Commons early day motion calling for the east tower at the Palace of Westminster to be formally named the Elizabeth Tower.

The motion was tabled by Conservative Tobias Ellwood and has the backing of all three main party leaders.

Ed Miliband also tweeted his support for the plans:

A formal letter of support has also been circulated with more than half of MPs signing up to the proposal, Mr Ellwood said.

He has written to Commons leader Sir George Young to request that he raises the matter with the House of Commons Commission for formal consideration later this month.

Mr Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, said: "Over the last three months I have sought opinion from fellow Members of Parliament to request the House of Commons Commission take forward the proposal to re-name the Clock Tower the Elizabeth Tower, in recognition of Her Majesty's 60 years of unbroken public service on behalf of her country.

"Commemorating such an iconic landmark is indeed a truly exceptional tribute and I am grateful that a majority of MPs have now confirmed that the Queen deserves such an outstanding accolade."

Such a move would not be without precedent.

When the Palace of Westminster was rebuilt in 1860 the west tower, known as the King's Tower, was renamed the Victoria Tower to commemorate the long reign of Queen Victoria - the only other monarch to complete 60 years on the throne.

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