More than half of Brits believe BBC was WRONG to ban lyrics of Land of Hope & Glory and Rule, Brittania! from Proms
MORE the half of Brits say the BBC is wrong to have the words of Land of Hope and Glory and Rule, Britannia! removed from the Proms, a new poll shows.
The annual Last Night of the Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall concert, beamed around the world, traditionally ends with the flag-waving anthems.
But organisers of the BBC Proms said Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia! would be featured as orchestral versions instead.
This was reportedly because Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska wanted them dropped due to their links to colonialism and slavery - claims she has now denied.
A YouGov poll for The Times has found that 55 per cent oppose the BBC’s move with 16 per cent backing the broadcaster’s compromise.
Just five per cent believe the songs should not be performed at all.
The BBC’s decision was branded “idiotic” by former chairman Michael Grade who said it was “too trapped in the Westminster bubble”.
The poll found that despite anger at its decision over the Proms, support for the BBC is holding up, with 48 per cent saying they view it favourably.
It remains popular among younger people, women and Labour voters.
But when it comes to funding, 55 per cent believe the BBC doesn’t provide value for money and 34 per cent think it should be funded through advertising.
BBC has said the songs would be sung next year - and said the decision to cut the lyrics was over fears of a second wave of coronavirus.
A spokesman said: “For the avoidance of any doubt, these songs will be sung next year.
“We obviously share the disappointment of everyone that the Proms will have to be different but believe this is the best solution in the circumstances and look forward to their traditional return next year.”
Stasevska has herself strongly denied she had any role in deciding the format of the Last Night Of The Proms.
The conductor said she was “honoured to be part of this year's BBC Proms and its iconic Last Night” which she said was “incredibly exciting”.
"However, in recent days there has been a good deal of inaccurate speculation about my role in determining the format of this year's Last Night Of The Proms,” the 35-year-old said.
"This false speculation has led to abuse and threats towards me and my family which is why I am speaking out.
“For the record I have played no role in deciding the traditional elements of the programme, I recognise these are an important part of the event.
“I've been wrongly portrayed as a person who tries to influence political debates - this is not true. I am an artist, I want to be able to speak through my work to bring people together and build solidarity.”
Meanwhile friends of Stasevska have come forward to say BBC bosses were behind the decision to drop the songs.
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They told she would not demand a change to the patriotic songs.
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One said: "From Dalia’s point of view there has been a lot of unpleasantness and some of the stuff that has been written is heartbreaking.
“It is frightening, unpleasant, scary stuff and she can’t say anything as she can’t be a part of any of that.”