It's been causing a big stir in the UK with people pretty divided. But Jeremy Corbyn, who was recently elected as the leader of the Labour party (the current biggest opposition political party in the UK) chose not to sing the National Anthem at a 75th anniversary Battle of Britain ceremony because he does not believe in God and is also a republican (as in does not believe in the monarchy).

Given our anthem intertwines both God and (save) the Queen. There has been a strong debate on both sides.

With the number of people from outside the UK on this forum, I thought it would be interesting to see how people think a potential Prime Minister refusing to sing the Country's National Anthem sits.

Is it anti-patriotic? Or merely the start of a vision for a new patriotism not stemmed in the traditions of the country?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34263447

Update: his entire party has now pretty much criticised him for it, even the former leader of the Scottish National Party who wanted independence from the UK has criticised him for not singing along because it's not about God or the monarch but the country. He has said he will always sing it in future.

Source of update is tonight's broadcast of Question Time on BBC1.

Was the version by The Sex Pistols ever considered?

Yes, it's fine by me (UK). What's the point of electing a radical leader and then expecting him or her to follow all the pointless traditions of a country?

Of course, he is unelectable so it doesn't really matter. The Corbyn circus is an effective distraction from the serious problems with the Conservative government.

he is right. the UK should transform into a real republic.

People now days act like the anthem is more important then the day to day running of the country, many people in the UK don't sing the anthem even MPs and Footballers, the reason why the media and certain groups of MPs are bothered by Corbyn not singing it is because they're looking for any old excuse to smear his name because they're threatened by his potential to derail their own personal interests.

Corbyn is not even that radical tbh.

That would be pretty cool. He had his reasons for not singing. So it's actually cool that he sticks to his believes.

National Anthem is always corny as hell. I'd never sing that crap

the european one is realy good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrexhus-8kw

Personally I hate having to listen to the national anthem every day at school. I think that it is absolutely acceptable.

Wow, you have to hear yours everyday? I only ever hear ours at particular events, when England are playing an International match and when we win at F1 ;p