The National Anthem

This 'calm down dear' business is getting tedious now. Anyone who disagrees with any degree of vehemence with the view of those on the left gets told to do it. Time to think of a more original put-down, perhaps?

You said it Maizied*! I wouldn't dream of saying such a thing. Out loud.

You did mean "gasket" didn't you?

Why do you say that whitewave (re blowing a gasket)? I am enjoying myself.

No I am thinking of USA, France Italy, Germany, etc. The populations of whom are citizens and not subjects with all the connotations of being such.

Yes because all those countries with presidents are all such wonderful democratic places .

jing you are in danger of blowing a gasgit -in the words of our illustrious leader "calm down dear"

Republicanism has a fine and proud history, JC is simply part of that belief, joining the majority of the world.

Oh dear. Some of us just aren't fit to be Brits, are we Jingl?

I agree there merlot.

Ah, but the more he stays true to himself and refuses to acknowledge the Queen the less likely he is to become PM.

Go for it, Jezza!

Jingl.... You put it so much better than me, less diplomatic, but better!

Does thislittle upstart really think he can change the British Constitution? The man is demented.

Some of these posts are inbelievable! There is no way we could have a Prime Minister who refuses to acknowledge the sovereign. And this idiot hopes to become PM. A bear with half a brain could see that.

Who rolls up their trouser legs to swear undying secrecy?!

Leaving aside the question as to who would not vote( for a monarchy) if we didn't already have one, which needs a thread all of it's own, for some to say that singing or not singing the anthem doesn't matter, it really does you know.Voters come in all shapes and sizes, which means that plenty of Labour voters will be angry about their Leader standing there at a service of remembrance with a closed mouth. As Ana has said, just heard on the radio that he will be singing at future events, which means his gaffe has been discussed and he has been advised ( strongly I would think) to sing up in future.I don't think hypocrisy comes into it though, sometimes we all have to do the diplomatic thing and honesty is not always the best policy. A bit of fibbing oils the wheels of all human discourse and it certainly does in political and diplomatic relations.

devorgilla

Perhaps, whitewave, the real question that should be put is:
If the hereditary monarchy did not already exist in UK would you vote for one to be created today?
How would that royal family be chosen?
Every family's name dropped into a big drum and one picked or the strongest warring faction wins?
And the one lucky winner gets all - big houses, job for life, jobs for life for their kids for all time etc.

I seem to have typed so slowly I have x several posts - sorry

Please excuse all typos. Didn't proof read properly

I will not see anyone as a hypocrite for singing or not singing or for singing sometimes and not others - it just isn't that important to me. It will be the right wing press and those who wish to express an opinion on forums such as this (including me) who will go into overdrive about it; most people will have little interest.

I believe part of the bit about joining the Privy Council is because you are swearing not to break the secrets of information given to you in confidence. Kissing hands, etc., seems a bit like rolling up trousers legs and swearing undying secrecy to me but it is currently the way they do it. I would have thought either signing a version on the official secrets act or something similar would do.

Although I am happy to discuss signing the National Anthem I really do not think it is the most important thing in life but the right-wing press will love it as a distraction for real politics.

"So my question is Corbyn has been true to his Republican roots, he cannot be called a 'hypocrite' but why did he accept a place on the Privy Council?"

I wondered that but I was listening to a news item about it the other day and apparently the Privy Council has access to masses of confidential information on issues such as security (and has some 500 members). It seems would be difficult for a leader of the opposition if they were not a member.

It may appear to be an archaic institution that is closely associated with the monarchy but if it has a practical purpose and is vital to the operation of government it would be better to forget its monarchical associations. Corbyn's job is about service to his country not ro the monarch.

I must confess to being very disappointed that he seems to have caved in to the media hysteria and now says he will sing that bloody dirge the National Anthem in future. This is like McCarthyism...

Very true Tegan. Really important issues get pushed to the inside pages while the 'sensationalist' one gets Front Cover.

Supports!

JC is like me a Republican - something that the vast majority of the Western world is totally comfortable with, the monarchy is an anachronism in the world. Singing an anthem which shorts the status quo would be hypocritical.

...I just hope the right wing news media gives them the same amount of coverage but I'm not holding my breath.....