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by **ReturnoftheMack** » Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:58 pm

Britain's famed parliament clock tower Big Ben is set to be renamed the Elizabeth Tower in honor of the queen's diamond jubilee, a report said Friday.
Prime Minister David Cameron is among 331 lawmakers who have signed up to a campaign to bestow the tribute to Queen Elizabeth to mark her 60th year on the throne, the Daily Mail reported.
The Guardian also reported the majority backing for the proposal.
It mirrors an honor bestowed on Queen Victoria -- the first British monarch to celebrate a diamond jubilee, back in 1897 -- after whom the square tower at the other end of the Houses of Parliament was renamed.
"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," the Mail quoted Cameron as saying.
The 316-foot tower is formally known as the Clock Tower, but it is commonly called Big Ben after the huge bell that it holds, whose distinctive "bongs" sound out the hours in central London.
Lawmakers accepted that the iconic tower, which looms over the 19-century Gothic revival parliament, would continue to be known colloquially as Big Ben, but said that its formal name should honor Queen Elizabeth.
The House of Commons Commission, the governing body of the British parliament, will meet by the end of June and is expected to agree on the renaming of Big Ben, the Daily Mail said.
Big Ben was in the news in January this year when the commission discussed how to manage a tilt affecting the tower.
The tilt is 0.26 degrees to the northwest and has increased very slightly since 2003, although an expert study found it was unlikely to be a problem for 10,000 years.
Britain is holding four days of celebrations beginning on Saturday to mark Elizabeth II's jubilee, including a 1,000-boat river pageant and a star-studded concert.

by **Victorian Squid** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:04 am

Plus they get their comics late because everything's closed for two days!

by **guitarsmashley** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:14 am

actually Big Ben refers to the large bell inside the clock tower. Big Ben will be inside the Elizabeth Tower.

by **LobsterJ** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:30 am

"look kids...big ben...parliament..."

by **The Shadow** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:41 am

LobsterJ wrote:"look kids...big ben...parliament..."

by **avengingtitan** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:09 am

and no one cared.

by **nietoperz** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:11 am

I misread this as "Big Ben to be renamed Elizabeth Taylor."

by **Punchy** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:12 am

oh fuck off

by **Zero** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:22 am

Westminster Clock Tower is a boring name, but Elizabeth Tower is a shit name. Choices, choices.

by **guitarsmashley** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 6:26 am

How dare you insult the jubilee with punchy around. He is after all a major royalty follower.

by **Zero** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:11 am

guitarsmashley wrote:How dare you insult the jubilee with punchy around. He is after all a major royalty follower.

I know there's a joke about Punchy and queens here but I can't find it

by **guitarsmashley** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:19 am

Zero wrote:
I know there's a joke about Punchy and queens here but I can't find it

No joke. Punchy's room is plastered with photos of Prince William and Harry, Kate not so much interestingly enough...

by **Amoebas** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:46 am

60 years of reign is kind of unique throughout the history of our planet, so if we can name airports after presidents who served for an 8th of that time, I have no problem with the UK renaming the clock tower for QE.

Enjoy the party over there mates.

by **MrBlack** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:57 pm

Amoebas wrote:60 years of reign is kind of unique throughout the history of our planet, so if we can name airports after presidents who served for an 8th of that time, I have no problem with the UK renaming the clock tower for QE.

Enjoy the party over there mates.

It's worth noting that everyone in DC and its environs still calls it National Airport, and that the renaming was not popular in the area.

It really depends on what the locals think. It sounds like a formality at best, since only the formal name (Clock Tower) will be changed, and this will have no affect on the colloquial name.

by **guitarsmashley** » Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:07 pm

MrBlack wrote:It's worth noting that everyone in DC and its environs still calls it National Airport, and that the renaming was not popular in the area.

It really depends on what the locals think. It sounds like a formality at best, since only the formal name (Clock Tower) will be changed, and this will have no affect on the colloquial name.

I refuse to call BWI, friendship. Fucking stupid name is friendship international airport?