Government mocked for backing ‘One Britain One Nation’ campaign
The government has been branded “embarrassing” and “insane” after backing a campaign encouraging schoolchildren to celebrate “One Britain One Nation Day”.
The Department of Education said it was “encouraging schools across the UK to celebrate One Britain One Nation Day on 25 June, when children can learn about our shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect”.
We're encouraging schools across the UK to celebrate One Britain One Nation Day on 25 June, when children can learn about our shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect.#OBONDAY21 @1Britain1Nation
For more information:https://t.co/y7PQblUeDN— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) June 21, 2021
The campaign, led by former policeman Kash Singh, says on its webpage that it needs the support of schools to “celebrate the day in the spirit it is intended”.
It goes on to say that schools should “as a MUST” encourage children to clap for a minute to “pay tribute to all those people who helped during the Covid 19 pandemic crisis” and sing the OBON Day 2021 anthem.
The song, written by school children from Bradford, includes the lyrics “We are Britain And we have one dream To unite all people In one great team”.
The song ends with the lyrics “Strong Britain, Great Nation” repeated four times.
One social media user tweeted a picture of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un with the words “Hahaha absolutely embarrassing”.
Hahaha absolutely embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/EfVpZWYioy
— Rich T (@richt_1979) June 22, 2021
Another tweeter Richard Bullard said the idea was “quite insane”.
Quite insane.
— Richard Bullard (@richardbullard2) June 22, 2021
The campaign counts actress Joanna Lumley, MP Brandon Lewis, and former politicians David Steel and Norman Tebbit among its supporters, but other Twitter users compared the move to something seen in North Korea, while others referenced the Hitler Youth - the organisation that marshalled children in support of the Nazi regime.
LIVE SCENES as young people practice for 'ONE BRITAIN ONE NATION DAY'... which in no way sounds like it's for Hitler Youth. https://t.co/btZMjj7tZF pic.twitter.com/EQynKvuLWA
— El Christo (@ElRaynerista) June 22, 2021
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