Singing the Anthem

[OwlHoot]

Yes the tune is a dirge. Land of Hope and Glory would be the best alternative. But there it is.

although Elgar, who wrote the music, hated hearing it sung.

Funny how Corbyn and his like pointedly refuse to sing hymns or the National Anthem, but at Labour conventions they no doubt join everyone in heartily bellowing out "Keep the Red Flag Flying" or whatever that Soviet anthem is called.

If he is against even notional support of Christianity and the Monarchy, are we to assume he must literally support communism? If not then for consistency shouldn't he be also silent when that is sung?

(Apologies if someone else made the same point earlier in the thread - I'm bungey posting today )

[northernladuk]

Isn't this an unmitigated PR disaster through? So many people vote for parties because the like the leader rather than having a clue what his policies are about. He's alienating many of the random voters as he's a guy that won't sing the anthem (ok not that but you know what I mean).. or does this balance out by the number of people that will vote for him because he doesn't? Must be a nightmare for the Labour party surely?

[unixman]

Nightmare indeed. I am starting to feel sorry for JC. Many lifelong Labour voters will want to box his ears for that national anthem thing.

[d000hg]

It's not "God, save the Queen"; it's the subjunctive mood expressing a wish, like "Long live The Queen" (or Rock and Roll). I.e. it's shortened from "May God save the Queen". You're not asking God to do anything.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englis...nt_subjunctive

Huh? How is "May God save the Queen" not a hope that God will save the queen? Who are we asking to "Send her victorious"? I always thought the song was effectively a prayer for God to protect and bless the queen (and through her, us)?

If I were Corbyn, I would probably have sung in the circumstances. This was, after all, a Battle of Britain memorial. Perhaps he would have preferred the German anthem? Many people still living flew in the BoB, or had friends who died in it, or family members. And as far as battles go, it was pretty justifiable, morally.

And what is so very wrong about singing the national anthem in a country where you live? Whatever country it is ? Nothing, that's what.

It depends what the song says... singing it as a generic patriotic thing is one thing, but then it sounds like you're being wishy-washy and trying to keep anyone happy.

Isn't this an unmitigated PR disaster through? So many people vote for parties because the like the leader rather than having a clue what his policies are about. He's alienating many of the random voters as he's a guy that won't sing the anthem (ok not that but you know what I mean).. or does this balance out by the number of people that will vote for him because he doesn't? Must be a nightmare for the Labour party surely?

Year. Maybe he is just more interested in integrity and honesty than whether people like/agree with him - that would explain why he was only a back-bencher. And he seems to have partly got so much support because of such qualities... straight-talking and uncompromising rather than content-free drivel that cannot be used against him.

I don't agree with his policies but (so far) I respect the guy for his stance.

[darmstadt]

I await with anticipation tomorrows newspapers:

[northernladuk]

Year. Maybe he is just more interested in integrity and honesty than whether people like/agree with him - that would explain why he was only a back-bencher. And he seems to have partly got so much support because of such qualities... straight-talking and uncompromising rather than content-free drivel that cannot be used against him.

I don't agree with his policies but (so far) I respect the guy for his stance.

Indeed but sadly this isn't what (so far) wins elections. He looks more and more like another, what do you call them, one of them parties that has strong and very different views which are needed to send message to the main parties but not actually electable.

I also respect that he's not bowed to pressure and taking unpopular stances although I must admit I don't agree with most of them. That said it doesn't stop me worrying about how his views will shape his leadership/policies if he gets in. Respect isn't enough to stop me thinking at this moment in time he's highly toxic... but he's got a chance to change that so time will tell. I guess he'll always be a marmite type of guy whatever he does.

[northernladuk]

Mr Corbyn, an arch republican, is also set to visit Buckingham Palace within weeks to join the Queen's Privy Council. To do so he must kneel before the Queen and take an oath of loyalty.

This should be interesting.

[AtW]

This should be interesting.

[d000hg]

This should be interesting.

Wasn't Blair also a republican?

I think he's on record as saying he's anti-monarchy but that isn't a fight he's interested in having, so while I'm sure the press will have a field day (again) I don't really anticipate any issues here. I'm not sure the Queen really has problems with republicans, only vice versa?

[darmstadt]

www.democraticrepublicanparty.co.uk

Apparently Harry Potter (*) is a republican as well!


(* Daniel Radcliffe that is)