Gawd Save Jeremy Corbyn: The Trivialisation of Politics Has Only Just Begun

Jeremy didn't feel by singing an anthem in praise of an unelected monarch you show respect for those who fought fascism - in a sense you contradict their bravery by supporting this deeply undemocratic, anachronistic anomaly.

As an atheist and republican, expecting Jeremy Corbyn to sing the national anthem - in which he asks a god he doesn't believe in to save a queen he'd like to see absolved from "one's duties" - is akin to asking a vegan to gauge out the eyes of a unicorn and prepare the imaginary beast for a despot's table.

Of course, during the Battle of Britain memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday, Jeremy Corbyn chose to pay his respects by remaining solemn and silent.

A spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn said: "Jeremy attended the event to show respect for those who fought in conflicts for Britain. As he said in the words issued this morning, the heroism of the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain is something to which we all owe an enormous debt of gratitude. He stood in respectful silence during the anthem."

In fact you could argue it's exactly because Jeremy Corbyn respects the men who so bravely fought against fascism that Jeremy believed it appropriate to exercise his right to remain silent yet deeply respectful.

However, The Telegraph had this to say: "In contrast to other leaders and dignitaries at the event, Mr Corbyn wore a mismatched suit and the top button on his shirt appeared to be undone."

I would suggest it is such trivial observations, and political point scoring by the right wing media, which is wholly disrespectful toward the many men who lost their lives during WW2.

Quite simple, Jeremy Corbyn didn't feel like feasting on unicorn (perhaps swan or whatever Prince Harry has been hunting lately would be more appropriate?!). Jeremy didn't feel by singing an anthem in praise of an unelected monarch you show respect for those who fought fascism - in a sense you contradict their bravery by supporting this deeply undemocratic, anachronistic anomaly.

Indeed, like millions of other perfectly normal, respectful and civilised citizens (not subjects) I also choose not to sing the national anthem. Not only do I find it sycophantic and toadying, but again like countless other Brits I believe the monarchy to be undemocratic and wholly unrepresentative of a desired meritocracy. Many of the "uns". In a time when people are visiting food banks, committing suicide due to benefit sanctions; when hospital waiting times are rising and the NHS is severely underfunded, we need to move away from the tired notions of the past; these unchallenged ideas that not only should the queen receive a pay rise while every day people struggle beneath her magisterial feet, but that the queen should receive any money from the tax payer whatsoever (an estimated 200m per year), or that the monarchy are a necessary or a healthy part of a country still struggling to become a fully fledged democracy.

Democracy is what those soldiers fought for in the Battle of Britain, and we still have a way to go until we find the clear skies ahead.

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