[Update] Jeremy Corbyn wins Labour Leadership

Originally Posted by Kursk

the true anthem of the British people should be Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. It's a better anthem too.

Now that is true ...

I wish I could sing along with it, but I'd just end up looking like John Redwood.

---------- Post added at 17:24 ---------- Previous post was at 17:21 ----------

Originally Posted by Carlos Carboni

But on a serious note, French PMs, ministers etc do not sing the anthem either. Some of you raised some good points, but have a look at this

We are not the French. If their normal, respectful behaviour is *not* singing their anthem, then that's fair enough for them.

It is not ours and, quite regardless of anything the anthem's lyrics might say, and what he believes about them, he should have sung it, just as surely as he took the oath of allegiance upon being re-elected last May.

Originally Posted by Hugh

Somebody in the Guardian nay-saying the singing of the National Anthem.

Shock Horror!!

I am sure the reason he didn't sing it is because he is an avowed Republican, and would feel a hypocrite if he sang something praising the Monarchy.

As the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, he could have at least done his collar up....

Heavens to murgatroyd, even Nicola Sturgeon managed to sing it through gritted teeth last week. Corbyn has no excuse.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by Chris

Incorrect. We do not live in anarchy. We have etiquette and expected standards of behaviour for a reason. At a major, solemn, national commemoration of such importance as this, certain things are expected of all participants. *Not* singing the national anthem is itself a disrespectful act.

We also don't live in a dictatorship where we should all conform to a particular diktat. He may have had his own good reasons not to sing the National Anthem. Let's see if he makes them known ..

[Mr K]

I've never sung the anthem, I'm not anti-monarchist, purely a bad singer. It's a personal choice, standing and respecting it is good enough. He was there at a memorial service paying his respects but still he gets it in the neck. Total non-story, but they'll be a lot of those about Corbyn coming from our partisan and twisted media (plus it's a rubbish anthem anyway).

I'm expecting a story about him eating babies next (it'll be jelly babies, but that will be a minor omitted detail...).

Originally Posted by Mr K

I'm expecting a story about him eating babies next (it'll be jelly babies, but that will be a minor omitted detail...).

Corbyn's taxi driver breaks camera, outside his house

paparazzi "Every day we have trouble down here"

link

and a Nazi

Originally Posted by Chris

We are not the French. If their normal, respectful behaviour is *not* singing their anthem, then that's fair enough for them.

It is not ours and, quite regardless of anything the anthem's lyrics might say, and what he believes about them, he should have sung it, just as surely as he took the oath of allegiance upon being re-elected last May..

Out of all the reasons Corbyn is unsuitable to be leader of the opposition this seems rather mild to me. I can't get too worked up about the act of not physically singing. I don't think it indicates disrespect or indifference.

Appointing a Shadow chancellor whose talked of 'honouring the IRA' and being unable to condemn ISIS without making some attempt to bring America into it as well, as if they were morally equivalent, are far more concerning acts.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Mr K

I've never sung the anthem, I'm not anti-monarchist, purely a bad singer. It's a personal choice, standing and respecting it is good enough. He was there at a memorial service paying his respects but still he gets it in the neck. Total non-story, but they'll be a lot of those about Corbyn coming from our partisan and twisted media (plus it's a rubbish anthem anyway).

I'm expecting a story about him eating babies next (it'll be jelly babies, but that will be a minor omitted detail...).

That's why I don't sing, you'd be lucky to get a hum out of me. Be interesting to see if the public lap up all these non stories or they see through them for what they are.

Originally Posted by ianch99

We also don't live in a dictatorship where we should all conform to a particular diktat. He may have had his own good reasons not to sing the National Anthem. Let's see if he makes them known ..

Which is why the outcome of his base rudeness is his lowered standing in the eyes of many, and not a summary jail term. Though I suspect Corbyn himself might have tried to pour scorn on common courtesy with similarly overblown language, if given the chance. Indeed, he has already tried (and failed) to deflect attention away from the fact that all the most senior jobs in his shadow cabinet have gone to white, middle-aged men by accusing those who dared question him of 'living in the 18th century'.

[Osem]

Anthems aside, if he carries on like this Corbyn will be lucky to last months let alone years.

[Uncle Peter]

Originally Posted by Osem

Anthems aside, if he carries on like this Corbyn will be lucky to last months let alone years.

In the celebrity jungle faster than you can say Johnny Rotten.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

In the celebrity jungle faster than you can say Johnny Rotten.

Best place for him I reckon.

However, if his presence shakes up his party and results in a credible opposition with viable policies I'll thank him for that. Right now what I can see happening is a major split within the Labour party resulting in two factions fixated more on infighting than anything else. Perhaps that's what required however...

Originally Posted by ianch99

We also don't live in a dictatorship where we should all conform to a particular diktat. He may have had his own good reasons not to sing the National Anthem. Let's see if he makes them known ..

And he (and others) need to understand that that a reasonable percentage of the British population see the 'not singing' as a sign of lack of respect to the memory of those who served (and those who fell) in the Battle of Britain.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

Two things on Corbyn. I seriously cannot understand why there such an outcry, because Corbyn didn't sing the anthem. What about ENGLAND players not singing the anthem when they have an England shirt on - l can think of Rooney for example.

Anyone should be proud to support or wear the English shirt. I was in a British Legion Club one day. And two people wouldn't stand for the Anthem.

Too me there is nothing wrong in that.

And Two, I heard a rumour that some bookies are taking bets that Corbyn will be out of office by CHRISTMAS. Due to his antics. And that there are MPs with knifes out already

He certainly has started, hasn't he.

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by Carlos Carboni

(I am not having a go at you but I could not resist)

The reds do seem to have a problem singing the anthem, take Rooney for example link or Gary Neville link

But on a serious note, French PMs, ministers etc do not sing the anthem either. Some of you raised some good points, but have a look at this

That's Kamila Shamsies personal opinion
As for sportsmen not singing it, they aren't leaders of a major political party. Neither are they potentially/possibly going to be leader of the country who's anthem they refused to sing.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

That's Kamila Shamsies personal opinion
As for sportsmen not singing it, they aren't leaders of a major political party. Neither are they potentially/possibly going to be leader of the country who's anthem they refused to sing.

It's a pathetic lack of respect and those who don't show respect don't deserve it.

Originally Posted by Ramrod

That's Kamila Shamsies personal opinion
As for sportsmen not singing it, they aren't leaders of a major political party. Neither are they potentially/possibly going to be leader of the country who's anthem they refused to sing.

Some people have problem with "god save the queen" part, I personally feel when was the competition to become the queen and I missed it? what's special about her? Why can't I be queen? etc etc

But Corbyn has stated Britain likes her and it not a battle that he is going to fight.

Blair was a catholic and he never admitted it until he resigned.

Do you want Corbyn to be a hypocrite? He was respectful silently. He even shook the hand of the Archbishop (or whatever he was) at the entrance. He was fully respectful. Period.

And when you have give an oath in Britain, one can bypass the Queen problem, by choosing an oath that bypasses her (there is a list of legal oaths).

The Queen is irrelevant to some people, which are the minority in Britain. Lovely lady, but ...