England's own anthem would let Welsh sing 'God Save The Queen' - MP (From South Wales Argus)
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England's own anthem would let Welsh sing 'God Save The Queen' - MP
6:30pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News
NOT SINGING: Craig Bellamy during the anthem before Team GB's olympic match againts South Korea
A MEMBER of Parliament has tabled a motion expressing concern that some Welsh athletes did not sing 'God Save The Queen' at the Olympics.
Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West said this was because the song is also used by English athletes when they represent England only.
He said many people in Scotland and Wales perceive the song as representing England rather than the United Kingdom, and called for English teams to sing an English anthem instead, not 'God Save The Queen'.
Mr Mulholland MP tabled the Early Day Motion on September 4, which states: "This House praises the recent outstanding achievement of Team GB in the London 2012 Olympics, and welcomes the number of times God Save the Queen was used as the UK anthem to celebrate its many gold medal successes."
However, the MP said he wanted the House to "express its concern at the fact that some Scottish and Welsh athletes chose not to sing the anthem on the podium and before matches, and understands that this is, in some cases, a result of the fact that England teams sing 'God Save the Queen' as the English national anthem at sporting events, which has resulted in many in Scotland and Wales perceiving the song as representing England rather than the UK."
He called for the situation to be "rectified as a matter of urgency by England teams and sporting associations" and recommended they follow the example of the English Commonwealth Games Team and the England Women's Lacrosse Team, who both sing an English anthem when they represent the country as England.
He said he believes this will allow all Team GB athletes to be able to have "unequivocal" pride in the UK national anthem when it is only and appropriately used for British and UK teams and athletes.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Should England have their own anthem? Leave a comment:
Comments(38)
Mervyn James
says...
8:07pm Thu 6 Sep 12
paul m roberts
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8:09pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Mr Bump.
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8:14pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Welshman76
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8:29pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Owain Vaughan
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10:25pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Mr Bump.
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6:30am Fri 7 Sep 12
Owain Vaughan wrote:Owain you clown. Yes of course i'd prefer the English flag to represent English. It would be correct to do so. Wales is part of the United Kingdom so the Union flag should not be used to represent English. Back to the Anthem like i say i don't sing it because i'm not English, i don't sing it because i'm not a fan of the monarchy.
This thread has predictably unleashed the ill-informed bigots! Mervyn - you know full well that no-one is suggesting anyone sing "anyone else's" anthem - GSTQ is the BRITISH anthem. That is the whole point of this article! As for Paul M Roberts' rant about flying the St George's Cross - why should people not fly the flag of the United Kingdom? That is petty divisive nonsense. Now on to Mr. Bump - the cash machines use the Union flag to represent the English language as everyone in the UK can speak English! What would you rather? The St. George's Cross would offend English-speaking British people who do not identify themselves as English. Unfortunately there are no symbols for languages so the most obvious flags are used instead.
Robodad
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7:15am Fri 7 Sep 12
Mr Bump. wrote:I know, really annoying that they waste my time by putting some hardly used minority language on the screen. Are the Welsh speakers so stupid that they need a picture to show them which language is which? The most sensible post you have put up for a long time Mr Bump.
Cash machines annoy me too when they ask us if we want to use Welsh or English and have a Union flag to represent English.
Robodad
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7:18am Fri 7 Sep 12
Mervyn James wrote:No Mervyn, the Olympics is NOT about diversity and culture, it is a sporting event, it is about winning, being the best, the fastest, the strongest or the most skillful. Ask any top athlete if they are representing their country's culture and diversity or if they are trying to do their best at their chosen sport and they will tell you it is a sporting event.
Did they tell him to grow up ? Hoisted by his own petard with his rambling about 'English teams', damned racist... Olympics is about recognising diversity, and culture, geddit ? You don't see English people singing Flower of Scotland or Our Anthem, so why would we sing theirs ? Try that in rugby they will string him up !
Katie Re-Registered
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8:07am Fri 7 Sep 12
Christian Grail
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10:14am Fri 7 Sep 12
welshmen
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6:21pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
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8:09pm Mon 10 Sep 12
Carrot's
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9:39am Tue 11 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
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10:16am Tue 11 Sep 12
Carrot's wrote:So let me get this straight Mr Carrot sir; You are a proud Welshman even though there is no difference between being English and Welsh and you have absolutely no time for anyone else's opinion but you accuse anyone with an alternative viewpoint of bigotry. Embarrassed? Confused more like ;) you may be a lot of things but Welsh and proud you arent.
Once again a decent into tribal nonsense on the part of some contributors. There is no difference between being Welsh and English save perhaps that being Welsh burdens you with a large chip on your shoulder. Who gives a flying duck about what is sang where. Get over it. And before the bigots come flying back to me to accuse me of the crime of being English - I was born in Wales to Welsh parents and have lived here all my life and proud of it - but quite frankly its an embarassment to read some of the ravings of my fellow 'countrymen'.
bobjones2011
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10:44am Tue 11 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
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11:42am Tue 11 Sep 12
bobjones2011 wrote:And your very welcome to your opinion Bob. :)
I am Welsh and I am happy to sing God Save the Queen. She is our Monarch, our Head of State and I would go as far as to say I think it should be introduced in schools, perhaps at assembly time, to teach the little blighters some respect for Her Majesty, and it might instill some discipline amongst the youngsters.
I actually go the other way entirely; the Scotch have thier own curriculum and all scotch kids know who William Wallace is. In Wales we have an English one, few Welsh kids know who Owain Glyndwr is because Welsh history is not taught. It's wrong in my opinion. It's not that long ago kids were punished for speaking Welsh in class. Times have moved on but the only way we will avoid the confused sense of identity we have in Wales is to take it back and teach it in schools. Don't lecture or force it on people, just educate and inform. Let's be proud of our identity and stop getting embarrassed when others want to show it.
bobjones2011
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12:07pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
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12:52pm Tue 11 Sep 12
bobjones2011 wrote:That's where we differ Bob. Only my opinion of course but i see the monarchy as English. It was forced on the Welsh when good old long shanks himself topped Llewelyn for not recognising him as the new English king. I am going back a long way I know but the point is still valid. The Scotch feel it too I think. Perhaps the best way forward is to adopt a new anthem like the Irish have for sporting occasions that involve both north and south. Personally I love singing it at rugby games because it's so rousing and sings of alfugue four regions of Ireland. If we let the English keep god save the queen as thier anthem and adopt a new anthem that sings the praises of all the nations involved rather that demanding allegiance to the monarchy of "The old enemy" ( Dont panic by the way, I am a moderate. I don't burn cottages) :)
I can agree in full - however let's not forget that Her Majesty the Queen is our Head of State and I feel this should be represented in schools throughout the country, it's part of what used to make Britain Great. God Save the Queen!
b3talover
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12:57pm Tue 11 Sep 12
bobjones2011
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1:00pm Tue 11 Sep 12
SizzlerTrainers
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1:10pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Euwan Usami wrote:Couldn't agree more, it amazes me how many BBC brainwashed, Monarchist Unionists there are, sickens me that they can't see the grand lie they've been sold to further destroy the true indigenous culture of Britain.
bobjones2011 wrote:And your very welcome to your opinion Bob. :)
I am Welsh and I am happy to sing God Save the Queen. She is our Monarch, our Head of State and I would go as far as to say I think it should be introduced in schools, perhaps at assembly time, to teach the little blighters some respect for Her Majesty, and it might instill some discipline amongst the youngsters.
I actually go the other way entirely; the Scotch have thier own curriculum and all scotch kids know who William Wallace is. In Wales we have an English one, few Welsh kids know who Owain Glyndwr is because Welsh history is not taught. It's wrong in my opinion. It's not that long ago kids were punished for speaking Welsh in class. Times have moved on but the only way we will avoid the confused sense of identity we have in Wales is to take it back and teach it in schools. Don't lecture or force it on people, just educate and inform. Let's be proud of our identity and stop getting embarrassed when others want to show it.
Euwan Usami
says...
1:42pm Tue 11 Sep 12
b3talover wrote:In fairness this thread is about anthems; hence the debate being about anthems. Other threads are available though of course. :)
Phew, lucky there's nothing better to do than debate "anthems" in the Commons. I mean, if we had an economic crisis, spiralling unemployment, a potential civil war in Syria spilling over to neighbouring countries including a NATO country and the "War on terrorism" to deal with then it would be terrible. We wouldn't get any of this proper debating over increasing MP salaries, patting Olympians on the back and taking political credit for their success and anthems, done! You know, the really important stuff...
Euwan Usami
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1:53pm Tue 11 Sep 12
bobjones2011 wrote:That's fine Bob, we can agree to differ without using the "B" word. :)
You may see the Monarchy as English, but regardless nowadays it still covers us Welsh too. I love the Queen.
Wouldn't it be nice for people to be taught their own history though, rather than someone else's? Allow people to make an informed choice rather than kid them into thinking they are something they are not. It's gone on for so long now people are no longer aware it's happening, which was the initial intention of course.
bobjones2011
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1:57pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
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2:00pm Tue 11 Sep 12
SizzlerTrainers wrote:It all sounds a bit mellow dramatic when put like that but essentially it is true yeah. Lol
Euwan Usami wrote:Couldn't agree more, it amazes me how many BBC brainwashed, Monarchist Unionists there are, sickens me that they can't see the grand lie they've been sold to further destroy the true indigenous culture of Britain.
bobjones2011 wrote:And your very welcome to your opinion Bob. :)
I am Welsh and I am happy to sing God Save the Queen. She is our Monarch, our Head of State and I would go as far as to say I think it should be introduced in schools, perhaps at assembly time, to teach the little blighters some respect for Her Majesty, and it might instill some discipline amongst the youngsters.
I actually go the other way entirely; the Scotch have thier own curriculum and all scotch kids know who William Wallace is. In Wales we have an English one, few Welsh kids know who Owain Glyndwr is because Welsh history is not taught. It's wrong in my opinion. It's not that long ago kids were punished for speaking Welsh in class. Times have moved on but the only way we will avoid the confused sense of identity we have in Wales is to take it back and teach it in schools. Don't lecture or force it on people, just educate and inform. Let's be proud of our identity and stop getting embarrassed when others want to show it.
Euwan Usami
says...
2:05pm Tue 11 Sep 12
bobjones2011 wrote:It does make a change to express a view and no be battered into submission by abuse I grant you Bob :)
Yes you are right, they really ought to teach the full Welsh history in our schools, I agree with that. It is also true that more should be done to promote our current Monarchy, as it is after all still in power. I'm shocked nobody has come along and said something stupid such as "God Birch the Queen" yet. Nice to have a mature conversation with you Euwan.
I am sure it's not far away though, watch this space! Lol
bobjones2011
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2:16pm Tue 11 Sep 12
b3talover
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4:02pm Tue 11 Sep 12
Euwan Usami wrote:Yes, but the article talks about debating anthems in Parliament. I'm commenting on the article and not the thread, dear boy. :)
b3talover wrote:In fairness this thread is about anthems; hence the debate being about anthems. Other threads are available though of course. :)
Phew, lucky there's nothing better to do than debate "anthems" in the Commons. I mean, if we had an economic crisis, spiralling unemployment, a potential civil war in Syria spilling over to neighbouring countries including a NATO country and the "War on terrorism" to deal with then it would be terrible. We wouldn't get any of this proper debating over increasing MP salaries, patting Olympians on the back and taking political credit for their success and anthems, done! You know, the really important stuff...
Mervyn James
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8:58am Wed 12 Sep 12
Euwan Usami
says...
9:58am Wed 12 Sep 12
b3talover wrote:Fair point there :) to be honest though parliament is meant to discuss all topics raised in the proper mannor and
Euwan Usami wrote:Yes, but the article talks about debating anthems in Parliament. I'm commenting on the article and not the thread, dear boy. :)
b3talover wrote:In fairness this thread is about anthems; hence the debate being about anthems. Other threads are available though of course. :)
Phew, lucky there's nothing better to do than debate "anthems" in the Commons. I mean, if we had an economic crisis, spiralling unemployment, a potential civil war in Syria spilling over to neighbouring countries including a NATO country and the "War on terrorism" to deal with then it would be terrible. We wouldn't get any of this proper debating over increasing MP salaries, patting Olympians on the back and taking political credit for their success and anthems, done! You know, the really important stuff...
People's indentity can be more important to them than any other international issue.
Euwan Usami
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10:05am Wed 12 Sep 12
Mervyn James wrote:See, now we are getting to the point of it. Confused indentity. Welsh people thinking they are English or thinking there's is no difference. How can we blame foreigners for getting it wrong when we aren't sure what's going on either! Lol. Couldn't agree more with you. GSTQ is English. Adopt a new UK anthem that is inclusive not devisive. Now that's forward thinking for you! :)
In rugby GSTQ IS the sung English Anthem, it is valid we then see it as that when sung in the Olympics. flower of Scotland and HWFYN should be sung as and when our countries win. else all the credit as far as the World is concerned is to England. We read Welsh competitors referred to as English competitors on foreign TV stations. We all know when going abroad we are referred to as English and it is damned annoying as well as inaccurate. It's not nationalistic claptrap unless..... welsh competitors are referred to AS Welsh and their anthem is sung. So those who respond that way are the racists.
Uomo senza nome
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1:56pm Wed 12 Sep 12
did not sing 'God Save The Queen' at the Olympics because they are Atheists, or follow a different religion to Christianity. It seems strange to me asking someone who doesn't exist to save someone who has never suffered a moment's hardship in their life. But it's a funny old world.......
Euwan Usami
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4:36pm Wed 12 Sep 12
Uomo senza nome wrote:Fair point :) shows how much society has changed too. Even more reason for a new anthem?
Representing a Leeds consistuency, Mr Mulholland must surely realise that many
did not sing 'God Save The Queen' at the Olympics because they are Atheists, or follow a different religion to Christianity. It seems strange to me asking someone who doesn't exist to save someone who has never suffered a moment's hardship in their life. But it's a funny old world.......
fudge1969
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2:19am Thu 13 Sep 12
Mr Bump. wrote:well said.
I still wouldn't sing it. I couldn't care less about the Queen.
Cymru Am Beth
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9:36am Thu 13 Sep 12
Euwan Usami wrote:Most of the players representing Wales don't sing the Welsh National Anthem either.
This is an old argument I know. Many think that Land of hope and glory should be the English anthem but, to be honest, I don't know any welsh or scotch that would sing "God save the queen" anyway so its a mute point. The Basque and Catalans in Spain won't sing the Spanish anthem either. It's what happens when you force people to do something they don't want to. Did you know that the union flag has no representation on it for Wales? When it was drawn up Wales was considered to be part of England. Anyone still wondering why folk won't sing God save the queen?
dragononjack
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4:03pm Thu 13 Sep 12
The cross of St David would be hard to incorporate into the Union Jack, but a Red dragon could easily be put on to represent the Welsh People.
Mervyn James
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4:28pm Thu 13 Sep 12
Mr Bump. says...
8:07pm Thu 6 Sep 12