‘God save the King should be replaced as national anthem’ – it’s wrong’ says ex minister | Royal | News

A former Government minister has said that Britain should replace ‘God Save The King’ as the national anthem. His reasoning is that it excludes people.

The current British national anthem dates back to the 18th century. However, the words and tunes potentially go back even further to the 17th century. It was first performed in London in 1745 by the leader of the band at the Theatre Royal.

Loved by the guests, the anthem was then performed every night, spread to other theatres and became a custom of greeting monarchs as they entered a public place of entertainment. God Save the King then became the national anthem at the beginning of the 19th century, but now some believe it should be changed. 

Norman Baker, a former minister in the Coalition Government, shared his thoughts when speaking to GB News‘s Chopper’s Political Podcast about his new book, which criticises the funding of the Royal Family and suggests reforms.

The Liberal Democrat MP said that the UK needs to reconsider its commitment to signing “God Save the King” on national occasions. He also said that it excludes people who are republicans and those who do not believe in God.

Mr Baker said: “The national anthem is ‘God Save the King’. And I have to say that every other country I can think of, the national anthem reflects the country, not the person who’s the Head of the State.

“And you want a national anthem to be adopted by everyone in the country. This national anthem excludes people who are republicans and excludes people who don’t believe in God. And that’s wrong.

“We should have a national anthem everybody is very proud of.”

This is not the first time that calls to change the national anthem have been made. Previous ideas have included replacing the anthem with “God Save the Children”.

‘Land of Hope and Glory’, as well as ‘Jerusalem’ have also been suggested as replacements for God Save the King.