Erasing history and tradition: Last Night Of The Proms

There’s been widespread reports that the renowned Last Night Of The Proms is going to be given a face lift. Yet, it’s unlikely that the latest toxin suggested will ameliorate the face of this iconic event, as the traditional anthems of “Rule Britannia” and “Land Of Hope and Glory” are shelved.

It all comes as part of a cultural shift to dissipate the notion that Britain was once a colonial power and that nobody should possibly be offended by this, the slavery trade or indeed any possible racial or nationalistic slur.

As a British Indian and student of British history, I’d be the first to recognise that Britain is responsible for doing some horrendous this in India and across the world.However, that is history and we cannot re-write this, no matter how hard we try. It’s done unfortunately and many of Britain’s ex-colonial lands continue to wear the t-shirt; some more proudly than others.

I sense that measures like toppling statues of historic British figures and removing such anthems on the premise of eradicating potential offence will in fact have the opposite desired effect.

What it does do is feed the far right with extra fodder that we the country is being forced to lose all sense of Nationalism and that this generation should continue to apologise for what has happened in the past couple of centuries. In turn, it strengthens the them vs us mentality ; as the left marches ferociously into this never ending and ill fated battle of not wanting anybody to be offended by anything.

These anthems are steeped in tradition that’s been part of British culture for decades akin to the Queen’s speech. Whilst it’s hard to argue that they appeal to Britain’s increasingly diverse population or that the lyrics are current, they are part of the institution that is the Proms and perhaps they just need tweaking to fit in with modern times.

After all, we are slaves to a woefully incompetent government that hasn’t ruled the Covid waves effectively. Furthermore, I doubt many will see Britain as the “Land of Hope and Glory” as the true economic impact of this pandemic is realised.

• RG

Written by admin99