Labour Shadow Minister Says 'Rule Britannia' Alienates Some, Faces Backlash From Conservatives
-
Labour’s shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire said Rule, Britannia! "alienates" many Britons and she would leave decisions on its performance to the BBC.
-
Critics have long said Rule, Britannia! has uncomfortable associations with slavery and colonialism.
-
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason recently reignited debate by arguing the song should be axed from the Last Night of the Proms.
-
Debbonaire's comments contrast with Downing Street's dismissal of calls to scrap the song.
-
Her remarks faced backlash from Conservatives who accuse Labour of being willing to "run roughshod over national traditions."