Several headlines from media outlets this weekend have suggested that there is a movement afoot in Parliament to rename Big Ben after Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.
In fact, no one has proposed renaming Big Ben, because Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the Palace of Westminister’s Clock Tower, not the building itself.
The building has always been officially known as the Clock Tower, but it appears that soon it will be known as the Elizabeth Tower:
The tower housing Big Ben will be renamed ‘The Elizabeth Tower’ in honour of the Queen’s six decades on the throne under plans backed tomorrow by the majority of MPs.
David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband are among senior figures from all parties who have backed the proposal for Parliament to bestow the extraordinary tribute on the Monarch.
As the nation gears up for a weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Parliamentary authorities will now meet to discuss renaming Westminster’s Clock Tower after Her Majesty.
The Daily Mail has more.