Updated: June 27, 2012 10:00 p.m.

Read Big Ben is to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower to honor the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee

Britain‘s famous clock tower Big Ben is now being proposed to change its name to The Elizabeth Tower to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, or the 60th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II; and majority of MP (Member of Parliament) are supporting it.





Big Ben file photo

Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images



According to Daily Mail on Friday, June 1, 2012, Big Ben’s renaming proposal has now a total of 331 MPs signatures including Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Labor Party leader Ed Miliband, among others.

“It is great news that so many MPs from across the House are backing what would be a fitting tribute to the Queen. I hope it will now move ahead.” Cameron was quoted in the report, with Queen Elizabeth II‘s coronation held on June 2, 1953, after her father King George VI died on February 6, 1952.

As noted in the report, the tower’s name change was first thought of Tobias Ellwood, a Parliamentary private secretary at the Foreign Office, who said he is happy to know that his idea has gained a lot of support, which is now more than half of all MPs.

“Commemorating an iconic landmark as famous as Parliament is indeed a truly exceptional tribute and I am grateful that the majority of MPs believe the Queen deserves such an outstanding accolade.” Mr Ellwood reportedly said.

“Of all the forty-one monarchs who have reigned over England and the United Kingdom since William the Conqueror, only Her Majesty and Queen Victoria have reached this Diamond Jubilee land mark.” Mr. Ellwood added, noting that Queen Elizabeth II is the most traveled head of state in history.

Note: Correction was made to change the date of death of King George VI, from 1953 to February 6, 1952.