Forum Topic

Government encourages schools to host "One Britain" events

The UK government has encouraged schools to hold a celebratory day this Friday aiming to instil pride in Britishness.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-57579002One Britain, One Nation song strikes wrong chord - but receives government backinghttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/06/23/one-britain-one-nation-song-strikes-wrong-chord-receives-government/The article in the Telegraph includes the words of the song "One Britain One Nation" they wish the children to sing.What a preposterous idea!  Also, I thought we lived in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, not just Great Britain. Or is Northern Ireland now being forgotten?“Ein völk, ein reich, ein führer” style?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1685d28 Comments

I didn’t think I’d need to put inverted commas aroundthe word nice to make it clear I was being ironic. 🤔

Freddie Francis ● 1681d

Were they "nice" - I though the idea was that they were in thrall of the Nazis. Maybe there is a remake of that picture whichI have not seen.But I ,ike the idea that they should all have to conform by wearing a silly wig - it sits well with idea that we should all conform to supporting a silly idea.

Michael Winstanley ● 1681d

Oh yes, by some nice young patriotic people.

Freddie Francis ● 1684d

Tomorrow Belongs To Me. Isn't there a scene in the Sound of Music where this song is sung?

Michael Winstanley ● 1684d

Fab-flippin-tastic. I'm sold! Inspired, I have some free ideas for further lovely lovely bringing together of our beautiful nation. Let's have the kids saluting the Union Jack every morning while singing he song and the parents and the rest of us having to fly one (flag not song) in our front garden with the added perk of being able to accuse neighbours of not being a patriot if you don't. Perhaps all men getting the same luscious haircut as our great leader (free wigs for those with follicle deficiency – no prison for the the disadvantaged) and the women the elegant style of his delightful spouse. Oh what fun!

Freddie Francis ● 1684d

In response to AM

Sue Hammond ● 1684d

Typical Twitter Tripe🙄

Sue Hammond ● 1684d

Or Sid Vicious 

Michael Ixer ● 1684d

next they'll be encouraging us to have a portrait of the queen on our wall...oh....https://twitter.com/joymorrissey/status/1407464031997267977

Matt Palmer ● 1684d

I wonder if our kids are that innocent? Will it be long before some imaginative kid comes up with some alternative words (possibly about Boris). I'm sure there must be some aspiring Lennons or Jaggers?

Michael Ixer ● 1684d

Sounds to me like a right-wing exercise in brain-washing. North Korea does it, Goebbels did it. This government is asking innocent kids to do it. Shame!

Alexander MacLeod ● 1684d

Some. After communism failed we let inflation decimate the Russian currency and now they are supporting an "elected" dictator who is investing in the military and has designs on his neighbours, either by annexing territory (Ukraine) or by supporting puppet dictators (Belorussia). Only in the 1930s they didn't have a climate emergency ...

Michael Ixer ● 1684d

Isn't there a similarity to the 1930s?

Philippa Bond ● 1684d

Sue,Please refer to Paul Rolink's post of 23 June at 23:19 and my response of this morning.  You replied to the latter.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1685d

This seems a bit "1920s" to ne, rather than "2020s". After all we're in the 21st century when solutions to issues such as COVID-19 and the Climate Emergency need to be considered on a global basis.  Perhaps BA has the right tone with their One World alliance? Or perhaps most of the scientists I know would prefer One Universe!Not sure it matters much in one sense: I'm sure most kids will think if it as a break from lessons; but wait, aren't we told that they should be catching up on all the lost education over the past year not this frivolous nonsense?

Michael Ixer ● 1685d

Thankyou Ivonne but I don't need a geography lesson from you.You don't believe the song was written by schoolchildren, well you are  wrong, even though you seem to think you are always right.  However I expect you will imply Mr Khan is lying because it's reported in the DM lol. https://mol.im/a/9720465What about NI? What point are you trying to make?

Sue Hammond ● 1685d

Sue,The nation is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, also referred to as the "Union".  Great Britain is just one bit of it. Positivity and optimism are everywhere Sue, in different shapes and forms, but it is there.  What is not received very well in this case is the way in which such so-called values and aims are directed at.  If it were really something valuable for the whole country, it would be done in this way, for the whole country to celebrate. Aiming solely at school children with a song purportedly written by some (which I do not believe it really was particularly the lyrics), is a very bad idea because it is reminiscent of some really horrible and frightening political movements that did not subscribe to the aims and principles being acclaimed.And I ask again, what about Northern Ireland?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1685d

@IvonneThe Govt has not initiated this campaign but it is backing it, and good for them. You ask why has Friday 25th June been chosen to sing the song?  OBON day is designated to be on the last Friday in June. Kash Singh, one of the campaign founders, was on LBC this morning explaining about its values and aims and it was great to hear such positivity and optimism. I realise these traits are not strong on this forum but if you want to answer your own questions you can read about OBON here: https://www.onebritainonenation.com/

Sue Hammond ● 1685d

Paul,You really missed the point altogether!You say the government is doing its best to keep the Union together.  So why is the song called "One Britain, One Nation"?  Is this not a contradiction?  Where is the Union mentioned?  As far as I am aware, Northern Ireland celebrates St. Patrick's Day (bank holiday), Wales St David's Day (not a bank holiday but lots of celebrations) and Scotland St Andrew's Day (bank holiday).  England?  St George's Day?Oh, by the way, did you read the article in The Telegraph?  Funnily enough, they mention "Ein völk, ein reich, ein führer" (One People, one Empire, one Leader). And the Telegraph supports the Tories!And, no, I certainly do not like BoJo one bit.  But the referendum????  That is a very boring old scratched record of yours.By the way, why is Friday, 25 June chosen to sing the "celebratory" song?  I really do not know the answer to this.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1685d

A bit wank? The song was written by children Matt.🙄

Sue Hammond ● 1685d

Got it in one Paul! ;-)

Mike Warman ● 1685d

What's tragic about it Matt?

Sue Hammond ● 1685d

Looks rather pathetic., and I would guess probably sounds that way too. After the exchange of pleasantries with the Russians in the Black Sea wouldn't Rule Britannia be more appropriate? Still, Ode to Joy wins hands down from a musical point of view - there's always the Walter/Wendy Carlos version for those who want something a bit different.

Michael Ixer ● 1685d

nothing to do with the referendum, just that it's a bit wank frankly.

Matt Palmer ● 1685d

Many Scottish schools have already finished.If the government were serious they should at least have a bank holiday like most other countries.If fact we should have five new bank Holidays, four to celebrate each nation and one for the Union.

Ed Robinson ● 1685d

A nationalist. Good for you.

Freddie Francis ● 1685d

Yeah, the government is doing it's best to keep the Union together.When you listen to them maniac Scots Nats with their relentless propaganda & incessant whinging it makes sense. The government is no better than German fascists! I take it you don't like Boris. Is that cos you lost the referendum & will never get over it, hence the rant?

Paul Rolink ● 1685d

tragic.

Matt Palmer ● 1685d