LONDON (AP) – Is it goodbye to “God Save the Queen”?
British lawmakers are debating a proposal to replace the royalist song as England’s anthem for sporting events.
At contests where England, Scotland and Wales compete separately, Scotland and Wales have their own official songs – “Flower of Scotland” and “Land of My Fathers” – but England generally uses the British national anthem, “God Save the Queen.”
Labour Party lawmaker Toby Perkins, who called Wednesday’s debate, wants England to adopt William Blake’s patriotic song “Jerusalem” as its official anthem. Other suggestions include “Land Of Hope And Glory” and “There’ll Always Be An England.”
“God Save the Queen” would continue to be sung at British team events.
Perkins wants the government to hold a public consultation to choose the new anthem.