WATCHING BBC 1’s Question Time (September 17), I was disappointed but not surprised that time was given over to the Jeremy Corbyn national anthem issue (this is the BBC after all). Mr Corbyn is an avowed atheist and republican and to sing a song that exhorts a deity in which he does not believe to save a system he thinks has no place in a democracy would have been hypocritical. Rather than celebrate a country and i's people, these lyrics would place one individual over the rest of us. Dignified silence was his only option. This does not (as some suggest) dishonour those who gave their lives for our freedoms. Quite the reverse. Remembrance ceremonies should be about revering those who paid the ultimate price in the fight against evils like fascism. Sadly they appear more and more like photo opportunities for the "great and the good " and an opportunity for petty political point-scoring.
Speaking of which, Alex Salmond's contribution is best forgotten. After pointing out the verse that insults Scots, he bragged about singing the other verses and admonishes Mr Corbyn for not doing likewise. I was not impressed. I am not an SNP member but help out in their campaigns and was proud to have been active in the Yes movement, maybe he might wish to reflect on this
I understand that Mr Corbyn is to become a privy councillor. This apparently involves an elected representative of the people kneeling before someone whose position is a result of an accident of birth. As an affront to democracy, this takes some beating. Excuse me if I don't join in the singing.
John Boyle,
11 North Crescent Road,
Ardrossan.
MUCH criticism has been levelled at Jeremy Corbyn over him not singing the National Anthem at the recent Battle of Britain service. His attendance, not his singing ability, surely is the relevant point. A dignified presence and silence can be as sincere as any made by those who choose to lustily vocalise on such occasion.
A quick glance around funeral or remembrance congregations will confirm that a fair percentage present, for varying reasons, will be vocally disengaged. That silence does not detract from respect to the commemorated person. Equally, at national sporting occasions, the panning TV coverage will confirm an ever decreasing number of team members not singing their respective country's chosen anthem.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.
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