Romford MP, Andrew Rosindell
The Romford MP urged the Culture Secretary, MP Nadine Dorries to ensure ‘God Save The Queen’ is promoted this year, as Her Majesty celebrates 70 years on the throne.
In the House of Commons yesterday (Thursday, 6 January), Mr. Rosindell asked: “I know that the Minister agrees with me that singing the National anthem provides a great sense of National Unity.
“Yet, we have a growing number of people across the country who don’t know the words of the national anthem and don’t understand the importance of national identity and its traditions.
“I, therefore, ask the Minister if her department is taking any steps to include promoting the singing of the national anthem as part of the celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?”
The call would see the anthem reintroduced to the BBC who previously broadcast the song at the end of each day.
Rosindell said: “I feel it is a great shame that many people in our great nation do not know the words to our National Anthem, that is why I urged the Secretary of State to ensure there were preparations to promote our National Anthem in this, the year of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
“As Her Majesty The Queen celebrates 70 years on the Throne, what better way to honour her and celebrate than for our national broadcasters to play ‘God Save The Queen’ at the end of each day’s programming.
“Historically, most public broadcasters played our National Anthem at the end of the day and I feel it would be fitting to reintroduce that tradition before the BBC 1 changes to News 24 for the night.
“BBC and ITV both used to play the National Anthem with the latter displaying pictures of Her Majesty whilst the music played, which I believe is something people are deeply proud of.
“We shouldn’t allow these traditions to be discarded and resigned to the history books, people are appreciative of our national heritage and traditions so we should be embracing our National Anthem.
“Our National Anthem is a great source of national pride and makes us all proud to be British, helping to promote our great British values and national unity.
“I am pleased with the positive response from the Minister, Chris Philp (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State), who agreed that we should embrace playing and singing our National Anthem.”
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Tags: Romford, Havering, Andrew Rosindell
