A new Change.org petition has been created, calling for BBC TV presenter Sir David Attenborough's name be changed to "Boaty McBoatface".
The UK's Natural Environment Research Council originally turned to the public for a name for the new research liner with "Boaty McBoatface" winning the popular vote. However the council chose to name the ship after the acclaimed naturalist instead.
Angered members of the British community have launched the petition in defiance of the council’s decision.
The petition does not advocate for the change of the ship's name, but instead calls for Sir David Attenborough’s own name to be changed to Boaty McBoatface.
“The public want the UK's new polar research ship to be named Boaty McBoatface, but it will instead will be named after the revered naturalist and thoroughly lovely bloke Sir David Attenborough. Wouldn’t it be great if Sir David changed his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface in the interest of democracy and humour?” reads the petition.
Featured: David Attenborough. Or Boaty McBoatface, if a new Change.org petition has its way. (AAP) Source: AAP
Several have taken to social media to share their incredulity at the turn of events.
But for many supporters of the petition, the rejection of Boaty McBoatface is about having the popular vote honoured.
"To ignore the public’s wishes is criminal! This is the REAL issue with this country - people in power not listening. Boaty did more for the cause than any other name would ever do!” said one support commenter.
The Change.org petition currently requires only 78 more signatures to achieve its target of 1,500.
Another online petition site, Care2 Petitions, has launched a similar petition.
Soon after the government’s decision to not name the ship Boaty McBoatface, a public petition posted on the UK Parliament site was made. It was soon after rejec Source: UK Parliament
