Rule Britannia! to be sung on Last Night of the Proms after BBC U-turn

The BBC has reversed its decision not to have Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory sung on The Last Night of the Proms.

The U-turn follows fierce criticism sparked by reports that the letter was being removed due to associations with colonialism and slavery.

Last week, the BBC said the decision to do orchestral-only versions was motivated by Covid-19 restrictions.

However, a “select” group of singers will perform the songs after all.

“The pandemic means a different Proms this year and one of the consequences, under the Covid-19 restrictions, is that we cannot unite massive voices,” the BBC said in a new statement.

“For that reason we made the artistic decision not to sing Rule, Britannia! And Land of Hope and Glory in the Hall.”

But, the statement added, the BBC had been “looking carefully at what else might be possible” and had found “a solution.”

“Both pieces will now include a select group of singers from the BBC. This means that the words will be sung in the Hall and, as we have always made clear, the public will be able to sing at home.”

At The First Night of the Proms, 18 socially estranged members of BBC Singers performed in the empty booths of the Royal Albert Hall, with the orchestra on stage.

The BBC’s original decision to play instrumental versions on the last night of September 12 prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene.

“I can’t believe … that the BBC is saying they won’t sing the words of Land of Hope And Glory or Rule Britannia! As they traditionally do at the end of The Last Night of The Proms,” he told reporters last week. .

“I think it’s time that we stop being ashamed of our history, our traditions and our culture, and stop this general attack of self-recrimination and humidity.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Secure forward-thinking nations don’t erase their history, they add to it.”

‘Orgy of national shame’

On Wednesday, a spokesman for Number 10 said the prime minister “welcomes the decision” to back down.

Speaking to Tory MPs, Johnson said: “I think this country is going through an orgy of national shame over some of the things that other people around the world love most about us.

“People love our traditions and our history with all its imperfections. It is crazy that we are trying to censor it. It is absolutely absurd and I think we should speak out loud and proud for the UK and our history.”

Mr. Dowden also gave his reaction.

A spokesman for Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was the “right decision” but added: “Enjoying patriotic songs is not and should not be a barrier to examining our past and learning lessons from it.”

Last week, the BBC said the decision to remove the lyrics was due to the fact that fewer artists could appear on stage due to social distancing rules. The songs would be performed as usual next year, the corporation promised.

Outgoing CEO Tony Hall defended the “creative conclusion” that was reached, but admitted that the issue of dropping songs had been discussed. Lord Hall passed into the hands of new CEO Tim Davie on Tuesday.

Those who argued that songs like Land of Hope and Glory should not be performed include Chi-chi Nwanoku, who runs the Chineke! Orchestra, which performed at the Proms in 2017 and 2019.

She told the BBC: “We find it offensive. For any conscientious black person who is aware of their history, empire and colonialism, for example, will struggle to enjoy the patriotic patriotism of these songs.”

Announcer and choir director Gareth Malone also suggested that the hymns were out of date, tweeting, “It’s time for Rule Britannia! Go away.”