Parliament to debate English national anthem plan again
An idea put forward by Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins to create a national anthem for England is to be debated by Parliament again on Friday.
England fans sing God Save the Queen at sporting events but Mr Perkins says this is the UK national anthem and English supporters should have their own song.
He points out that Flower of Scotland is sung by Scottish supporters and Land of Our Fathers by Welsh.
MPs discussed whether to formally create a national anthem for England to be used by the football, cricket and rugby teams and other groups and individuals who represent the country during an initial Parliamentary debate last month.
The first reading of Mr Perkins' English National Anthem Bill was passed and will now be subject to a second Parliamentary debate.
Mr Perkins has arranged for a choir to sing Jerusalem, with words originally penned by William Blake, along with other contending anthems, on College Green, a stone's throw from the Houses of Parliament.