One Britain One Nation

One Britain One Nation (OBON) is a community interest company founded by Kash Singh in 2013. He is a former inspector with the West Yorkshire Police, who also founded the British Indian Association. He moved to Bradford from the Punjab with his parents at the age of six. He won the West Yorkshire Police Oscar, and the Criminal Justice Award for his work in Manningham, Bradford, after the 2001 Bradford riots.[1] He is said to be an associate of Esther McVey and Philip Davies.[2]

Conservative MPs Andrea Jenkyns and Andrew Rosindell launched the "One Britain One Nation" all-party group in 2018, although it does not appear to have lasted beyond 2019.[3]

The organisation launched a campaign to make the last Friday in June OBON day in schools in 2019. In June 2021 the Department for Education backed their campaign, urging "schools across the UK to celebrate One Britain One Nation Day on 25 June, when children can learn about our shared values of tolerance, kindness, pride and respect", and in particular for children to sing a patriotic song written by school children at St John's CE Primary School, Bradford titled "We are Britain and we have one dream / To unite all people in one great team".[4] The song says the country is "united forever, never apart".[5] Children were encouraged to dress in the colours of the British flag (red, white and blue). Gavin Williamson called the project "amazing" and said it was "incredibly important that schools take part". It was a failure. Headteachers said they did not take part because of Covid guidelines, logistical issues and because it “feels like propaganda”.[6]

Criticism

The initiative was criticised by Nicola Sturgeon who said she initially believed this "was a spoof". She said it was an illustration of the "misguided priorities" of the UK government. The organisers did not appear to have realised that many schools in Scotland break up for the summer break before Friday, 25 June.[7] Daisy Cooper said this was "Boris Johnson's barmy brainwashing event".[8] Johnson was compared to the Nazis and the Soviets by Scottish nationalists for encouraging the anthem's singing, and the Welsh government also voiced criticism

Official sources denied schools were being encouraged to sing the anthem, as it would breach COVID-19 regulations on communal singing to do so.[9]

The Football Association of Wales urged schools to film their pupils singing "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" on 25 June "with pride".[10]

References
  1. "One Britain One Nation". One Britain One Nation. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  2. "The bizarre relationship between the Tories and patriotism". Independent. 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  3. "'One Britain One Nation' in schools: what's all the fuss about?". Schools Week. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  4. "Government encourages schools to host 'One Britain' events". BBC. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  5. "Education chiefs back campaign for school kids to sing 'patriotic' One Britain One Nation anthem". Sky News. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  6. "'Frankly, it was awful': Schools pass on One Britain One Nation Day singalong promoted by government". Independent. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  7. "Nicola Sturgeon criticises 'ludicrous' One Britain One Nation Day". Herald Scotland. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  8. "Boris Johnson blasted for 'barmy brainwashing event' as schoolchildren made to sing 'strong Britain, great nation'". Independent. 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  9. "Boris Johnson compared to Nazis and Soviets for supporting school's One Britain, One Nation song". Telegraph. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  10. "Welsh FA urges every schoolchild to sing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau on One Britain One Nation Day". Daily Post. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
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