To foster unity and pride in Britain, the BBC must play the national anthem every day at the beginning of broadcasts. This is what a Tory MP said today.
Romford MP Andrew Rosindell said the public broadcaster and other television companies should be encouraged to play the patriotic number more often in the year of the Queen’s platinum jubilee.
The anthem is still played nightly on radio channels like Radio 4, and was previously played at the end of broadcast on television channels.
But since the late 1990s BBC One has run the BBC News Channel overnight from around 1am, while BBC Two plays repeats of daytime shows in the small hours.
At culture questions today, Mr Rosenidell – sporting a Union Jack lapel badge – asked: ‘I know the minister will agree that the singing of the national anthem is something that provides great sense of unity and pride in our nation.
‘So in this year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, will the minister take steps to encourage public broadcasters to play the national anthem and ensure the BBC restores it at the end of the day’s programming before it switches to News 24?’
Andrew Rosindell from Romford, MP said public broadcaster and television companies should encourage the playing of patriotic numbers more frequently in the Year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Radio stations like Radio 4 still play the anthem nightly. It was played before broadcasts on TV channels. The test card is shown above.
Chris Philp, the Culture Minister, told MPs that they fully supported the signing the National Anthem by Her Majesty Queen and other expressions patriotism, including the Flying of the Union Jack.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries could be heard saying ‘fantastic’ and Culture Minister Chris Philp told MPs: ‘We fully support the signing of the national anthem, Her Majesty the Queen and other expressions of patriotism – including the flying of the Union Jack.
“The better the national anthem is sung, honestly, the more we will hear it. It’s open to schools and organizations like them, who can promote it. The more we do it the better.
In the same session, Conservative former minister Sir Christopher Chope urged the Government to remove the power of the BBC to enforce sanctions against over-75s who have not paid the TV licence fee.
“Do we trust BBC?” asked the Christchurch MP. Is it not better for the BBC to stop enforcing sanctions through the criminal laws against people over 75 and who also support the same policy as the government?
Ms Dorries stated that the matter is still under review. She added: “The BBC confirmed no enforcement actions and they have recently begun customer care visits for people over 75 who might need additional assistance in paying their TV licence.