A fresh row has erupted over Rule Britannia after a Labour frontbencher claimed the song “alienates” many people. Shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire said the patriotic anthem, which is traditionally accompanied by flag-waving at the Last Night of the Proms, is “not my favourite bit of music”.
Her comments come after Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the cellist who played at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, said the piece makes people feel “uncomfortable”.
Asked about his comments, Ms Debbonaire told the Spectator’s Women with Balls podcast: “It’s not my favourite bit of music.
“And the Proms is a fantastic institution and it’s the world’s greatest music festival.
“I think it’s a decision for the people who run the Proms and again, like I said, it shouldn’t be politicians who tell people how to run cultural events.
“I think for a lot of people that feels like a very sort of British moment, which I think has to be respected as well, but for a lot of people, as Sheku Kenneh-Mason said, it will feel alienating.
“As I want the Proms – I want culture – to be accessible to everyone, I think it’s a good debate for us to be having.”
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Ashfield MP Lee Anderson was among those hitting back at Ms Debbonaire over her remarks.
He told the Express: “It’s not Rule Britannia that alienates lots of Britains, that accolade goes to the Labour Party.
“The same Labour Party that will systematically give away our country at every opportunity. It is incumbent of all of us to wake up to the threat of Labour.”
Critics have long called for Rule Britannia to be ditched from the Last Night of the Proms, which is organised by the BBC, due to its perceived association with slavery and colonialism.
