‘God Save the Queen’ no more? UK mulls new anthem for sporting events

Is it really time to say goodbye to “God Save the Queen”?

British lawmakers are debating a proposal to replace the royalist song as England’s anthem for sporting events.

The British Flag being raised at the Summer Olympics in 2012. British legislators are mulling adopting another anthem in sporting events where England is competing independently. (AP Photo)

At contests where England, Scotland and Wales compete separately, Scotland and Wales use their own official songs - “Flower of Scotland” and “Land of My Fathers” respectively - but England generally uses the British national anthem, “God Save the Queen.”

Labour Party lawmaker Toby Perkins, who called Wednesday’s debate, wants England to adopt William Blake’s patriotic song “Jerusalem” as its official anthem. Other suggestions include “Land Of Hope And Glory” and “There’ll Always Be An England.”

“God Save the Queen” would continue to be sung at British national team events.

Perkins wants the government to hold a public consultation to choose the new anthem.