Corbyn: Was he right NOT to sing the National Anthem?

It's Day 4 of Jeremy Corbyn's reign as Labour Leader and he's constantly facing questions around his leadership, policies and actions.

Yesterday, whilst attending the 'Battle of Britain' remembrance service, Corbyn stood silently whilst the National Anthem was sung. Corbyn is a firm believer in abolition of the Monarch and chose not to sing.

Was he right? Should he have sung out of respect for the Queen or is he right to stick to his beliefs?

He has clearly stated he is a republican and this was known while people were voting for him.  By not singing the national anthem he has not mislead anyone and only behaved in a manner that was expected given his stated position on the royals.

He made no gesture of disrespect and chose to silently reflect on those that gave their lives for our freedom.  It would be better for the media to do its job and actually investigate what Corbyn thinks about war dead instead of inferring it from whether or not he chooses to sing a song about an unelected head of state.


David Cameron has and will continue to cut the benefits available to those who have been disabled in war, would singing god save the queen excuse Camerons cruel treatment of those disabled in war?



PS

This links to something the left do to those on the right.  Those on the left are prone to saying things like "they hate women" because the right oppose abortion or "the right hate the poor" etc.  This is making an unfounded claim about peoples opinions, intentions and thoughts.

It is more correct to say "the policies they support will negatively impact women/the poor/minorities" etc.  If all you say is that what they support will have outcome X, you do not have to defend/prove the claim about the other persons intentions or beliefs.


So when people say Corbyn has shown disrespect by not singing the national anthem you are make a claim about his beliefs, which is pretty much unfounded.

I think he is perfectly entitled to remain quiet. I'm sure the politically correct brigade will hate it but I don't have a problem with people sticking to their principles. Perhaps he is an atheist and doesn't want to sing the 'God' part either?

It really shouldn't be a big deal. It doesn't mean he is being disrespectful of the Queen or fallen soldiers. If anything, he is exercising his right to hold a principle of free choice which is something those fallen soldiers died for.

My old nan used to say to me, "if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything".

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:I think he is perfectly entitled to remain quiet.  I'm sure the politically correct brigade will hate it but I don't have a problem with people sticking to their principles.  Perhaps he is an atheist and doesn't want to sing the 'God' part either?

It really shouldn't be a big deal.  It doesn't mean he is being disrespectful of the Queen or fallen soldiers.  If anything, he is exercising his right to hold a principle of free choice which is something those fallen soldiers died for.

My old nan used to say to me, "if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for everything".

Must have known one of yours would take after her.

Agreed with tinos post. Everyone loves to point out how these people died for our freedoms then form a mob against someone they don't like when they exercise those freedoms. He chose a different gesture of respect one in keeping with his beliefs. Fair enough I say.

He has a right not to. Mountain out of molehill, springs to mind.

McLaren wrote:He has clearly stated he is a republican and this was known while people were voting for him.  By not singing the national anthem he has not mislead anyone and only behaved in a manner that was expected given his stated position on the royals.

Agree with this, but it's symbolic for the harsh reality; when you tear up the established rulebook the main thing that usually happens is that you find out how those rules came about in the first place. The problem with being 'authentic' and/or just like a 'normal person' is that most people don't actually particularly like most other authentic normal people.

He is in a bit of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Am fairly sure had he sung the press would have dug out some old footage where he did not sing in a similar situation and called him on the inconsistency. He attended the rememberence service, by doing so he is showing respect for the fallen, not sure what difference singing a song, the contents of which he fundamentally disagrees with matters.

Alistair wrote:It's Day 4 of Jeremy Corbyn's reign as Labour

I'm sick to death of him already

Rowley wrote:He is in a bit of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. Am fairly sure had he sung the press would have dug out some old footage where he did not sing in a similar situation and called him on the inconsistency. He attended the rememberence service, by doing so he is showing respect for the fallen, not sure what difference singing a song, the contents of which he fundamentally disagrees with matters.

I'm quite looking forward to PMQ's for the first time.......ever.

The issue isn't really whether he sang the anthem, it's that he's politically naive. This was always going to be a huge issue, and it will be hard for some people to elect a leader who wont sing the anthem.

I respect his principle, but it doesn't do too much good if you wont get elected.

Scottrf wrote:The issue isn't really whether he sang the anthem, it's that he's politically naive. This was always going to be a huge issue, and it will be hard for some people to elect a leader who wont sing the anthem.

I respect his principle, but it doesn't do too much good if you wont get elected.

Or it may work the other way. Here we have a man who won't be dictated to.

Stella wrote:Or it may work the other way. Here we have a man who won't be dictated to.

Maybe. But wont get elected. He gives them a 'anti-British' angle. It's similar to an American declaring that they aren't Christian. They couldn't be president.

We'll see. I just think he's going to keep giving the other parties ammo.

Scottrf wrote:

Stella wrote:Or it may work the other way. Here we have a man who won't be dictated to.

Maybe. But wont get elected. He gives them a 'anti-British' angle. It's similar to an American declaring that they aren't Christian. They couldn't be president.

We'll see. I just think he's going to keep giving the other parties ammo.

It's not been mentioned in PMQ's.....yet.

He did say that his parents took part in the war and he chose to silently remember them, is that not fair enough?

He's coming across extremely well here by the way.

Alistair wrote:It's not been mentioned in PMQ's.....yet.

He did say that his parents took part in the war and he chose to silently remember them, is that not fair enough?

He's coming across extremely well here by the way.

I don't have a problem with it at all.

He is a left wing Labour candidate, he is getting destroyed by the bulk of the press irrespective of what he does. Miliband was far less left wing than Corbyn got slaughtered for how he ate a bacon sarnie. Corbyn is not a guy the press or those occupying the middle ground is ever going to appeal to. His best bet is staying true to his beliefs and trying to rebuild the apathy in Labour's traditional areas of support.

Agree with Rowley....Even the BBC are sticking the boot in...

I don't see why he has to sing If he doesn't want to..

Non story for me.

Alistair wrote:

He's coming across extremely well here by the way.

We have it on the tv but the sound off and subtitles on. The subtitles were all about tigers and a rhino called Nancy?

Did I imagine that or am I having acid flashbacks?

5 Live even did a phone in about it.

It's nice to hear about something other than ISIS or refugees.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

Alistair wrote:

He's coming across extremely well here by the way.

We have it on the tv but the sound off and subtitles on.  The subtitles were all about tigers and a rhino called Nancy?

Did I imagine that or am I having acid flashbacks?

No.

Corbyn asked his 6 questions and came across well then it went to the backbenchers. The Tiger was to do with the Isle of Wight Zoo, and the PM mentioned that a Rhino at Cotswold Zoo was named after his daughter (Nancy) when he intervened to get around DEFRA laws.

Are you Labour ?? Ali

No, Trussman, I've been Lib Dem for the last 3 elections. However, my political vote is somewhat up in the air given the mauling we took in the GE and the fact that Clegg effectively sold his morals up the river to become DPM.

I like Corbyn, i find his demeanor refreshing and whilst not all his policies are ones I agree with, i'm certainly taking a more vested interest in Labour at the moment.

It has been announced that Corbyn will sing the anthem from now on

wheelchair1991 wrote:It has been announced that Corbyn will sing the anthem from now on

Sort of, he said he will take part fully in these events.

Alistair wrote:

wheelchair1991 wrote:It has been announced that Corbyn will sing the anthem from now on

Sort of, he said he will take part fully in these events.

I'll take that, as he will sing. My opinion of him has gone down a little, if he does.

Libdem.....Geez what a joke..

We just got rid of our Libdem....I did anyway...My Wife was thinking of UKIP but preferred CSI instead....Rob preferred his playstation.

wheelchair1991 wrote:It has been announced that Corbyn will sing the anthem from now on

Sounds like I was right, he's a bit naive and inexperienced.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Libdem.....Geez what a joke..

We just got rid of our Libdem....I did anyway...My Wife was thinking of UKIP but preferred CSI instead....Rob preferred his playstation.

Our Lib Dem Councillors were pretty indicative of where the party was heading. Old, out of touch and brow beaten. They came to my local one night and I was questioning them on Clegg's policies and where he had taken the party and none of them could offer a positive spin on the state of the party, or any hope for the election. I voted Lib Dem because at the time I couldn't vote Tory, wouldn't touch Labour under Milliband and i'm not UKIP.

I didn't like Ed either thought he was crap.. but I didn't want a spineless mp that didn't stand for anything....Coupled with the U turn on tuition fees and the bedroom tax..

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:I didn't like Ed either thought he was crap..  but I didn't want a spineless mp that didn't stand for anything....Coupled with the U turn on tuition fees and the bedroom tax..

To be honest, Trussman, it was either that or don't vote, and at least if I vote i can feel like I have a right to whinge and moan about the state of the country.

Alistair wrote:

wheelchair1991 wrote:It has been announced that Corbyn will sing the anthem from now on

Sort of, he said he will take part fully in these events.

A friend from Labour central office told he will certainly be singing the anthem from now on. Its been announced on the BBC as well

Isn't it pathetic............So much going on in the Country and news corps are leading with this..

Its largely nonsense, though there is a part of me that thinks the a prospective prime minister candidate shouldn't need to be forced into singing the national anthem.

The national anthem can be a real sore point for many people across the UK. A friend of mine almost got beat up by several guys outside a local bar for not standing during the national anthem played at closing. Worst part was he was simply so drunk he hadn't noticed it was even playing! (as he is usually the type to drag others to their feet for it).

Back to the matter, I think he was right to stick to his principles. However if he has flip flopped on the issue based on public pressure I would be pretty dissapointed.

I'd rather we sang Jerusalem.

lfc91 wrote:Back to the matter, I think he was right to stick to his principles. However if he has flip flopped on the issue based on public pressure I would be pretty dissapointed.

Yep, the worst of both worlds. And makes it seem like something he hadn't considered would cause a reaction rather than a conscious decision.

It was disrespectful to the servicemen that died who were fighting for God/the Queen/their Country and provided the liberal freedoms which Corbyn enjoys so much today.

That said, he's an agnostic republican, therefore was it really much of a surprise and is it just good ol' "principalled" Jezza Corbs again....

Alistair wrote:I'd rather we sang Jerusalem.

Ditto.

And I say that as a royalist, of sorts, it's just such a bloody awful anthem! Jerusalem at the Olympic opening ceremony on the other hand drew a tear to the eye......

Corbyn's non-singing was naive. Fair enough - he doesn't believe in the Monarchy but the Queen is formally the Head of State (like it or loath it) and she represents the country as far as I can tell. It's the National Anthem at the moment - not singing it was chopping his nose off to spite his face, pretty much.
He would have been better to have campaigned for a change, within Government, to the entity that's our Head of State - not that I think many have appetites for even more elections a la the U.S.A. etc.
Truly pathetic though, the amount of media hoopla that's been devoted to this non-story.

Alistair wrote:I'd rather we sang Jerusalem.

Not I, I'm afraid. It still has too many religious connotations, for all it's a decent tune.

Rowley wrote:He is a left wing Labour candidate, he is getting destroyed by the bulk of the press irrespective of what he does. Miliband was far less left wing than Corbyn got slaughtered for how he ate a bacon sarnie. Corbyn is not a guy the press or those occupying the middle ground is ever going to appeal to. His best bet is staying true to his beliefs and trying to rebuild the apathy in Labour's traditional areas of support.

Bye bye 2020 then.

Cameron screws up. Some Greens, SNP and UKIP supporters come back he could stop a Tory majority....

20,000 new Labour members since Saturday...

No one can predict the future.....

Also nobody at this point can predict what is likely to happen in Scotland between then and now. Agree a Corbyn victory looks unlikely but way too early to call with any certainty.

Were he to be voted into power, would he not have to face the Queen for that ceremonial approval I forget the name of? It might be wholly ceremonial but an interesting situation

TopHat24/7 wrote:It was disrespectful to the servicemen that died who were fighting for God/the Queen/their Country and provided the liberal freedoms which Corbyn enjoys so much today.

That said, he's an agnostic republican, therefore was it really much of a surprise and is it just good ol' "principalled" Jezza Corbs again....

Just in case anyone is in any doubt, if Corbyn had sung the national anthem with gusto, TopHat would have posted something like this:-

TopHat24/7 wrote: Ha!  Look at Corbyn singing the national anthem.  I thought he was an agnostic republican, lol.  Principles?  That man wouldn't know a principle if it was served up in a sandwich.  I'm surprised he can stand up with such a floppy backbone.

#bloodycommiebastards

Anyway, I am done with this thread.  606v2 is run by a New World Order of Bilderbergers, socialists, Jews and refugees economic migrants. Now where has ONEBALL gone with my tin foil hat?

If you want to Prime Minister of the UK, you sing the national anthem and stop acting like a class A clown, had enough of this idiot already.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:If you want to Prime Minister of the UK, you sing the national anthem and stop acting like a class A clown, had enough of this idiot already.

I know the feeling.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Were he to be voted into power, would he not have to face the Queen for that ceremonial approval I forget the name of? It might be wholly ceremonial but an interesting situation

He's stated in an interview with the BBC that he would have to decide whether he would join the Privy Council, where party leaders kneel before Madge.

He's also stated Labour won't back a 'Brexit' so that should clarify the situation for a few of his doubters. I also like the fact that he's said that policies are up for discussion but he will have the final decision.

If he's such a principled man he should refuse to acknowledge terms like Brexit.

TopHat24/7 wrote:It was disrespectful to the servicemen that died who were fighting for God/the Queen/their Country and provided the liberal freedoms which Corbyn enjoys so much today.

That said, he's an agnostic republican, therefore was it really much of a surprise and is it just good ol' "principalled" Jezza Corbs again....

Nonsense.

How can you talk about liberal freedoms when you see fit to tell the man what he must do? "They died for your freedoms - how dare you now act according to your conscience." It doesn't work that way.

How many servicemen fought for God or the Queen? Bearing in mind the Queen wasn't on the throne during the Battle of Britain, I'd suggest not many fought for her.

And what about Scottish servicemen who died? Would Corbyn have been honouring their sacrifice in singing an anthem that talks of crushing rebellious Scots?

Let's face it, God Save the Queen, aside from being a dirge, is an anthem expressing nothing but a love of subjugation.