The broadcaster confirmed on Monday that orchestral versions of the two patriotic songs would be performed following controversy over reports they would be axed from the concert. But the decision to drop the lyrics has prompted an outcry.
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen tweeted: “The BBC is reported to be considering banning the singing of patriotic songs at the proms.
“They want you to be ashamed to be British however It only makes me ashamed of the BBC management.
“I love living in a Land of Hope and Glory.”
Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice blasted: “If BBC wants to cancel our patriotism & our history by not singing Rule Britannia & Land of Hope & Glory, so I want to cancel my license fee.
“They are in breach of their contract with the British people #DefundTheBBC.”
Former Brexit Party MEP Martin Daubney fumed: “Another nail in the coffin for the BBC as they cowardly buckle & remove the lyrics to ‘patriotic’ songs such as Rule Britannia at the Proms
“Why does the BBC hate Britain, our flag & our heritage?
“This is pure, provocative cultural vandalism!”
READ MORE: ‘Absurd!’ GMB row breaks out over Rule Britannia ban
Conservative commentator Darren Grimes added: “In censoring the patriotic anthems of our past, the BBC has sided with those who seek to destroy the unity in our history, our cultural rituals, our traditions and that precious pride in being British.
“The BBC is siding with those determined to divide and destroy what binds us.”
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage told : “The BBC should stop apologising for our history and our heritage.
“People will be disgusted by this level of political correctness. The only thing that needs cancelling is the BBC itself.”
The traditional anthems are usually played at Last Night of the Proms as the audience enthusiastically waves flags and sings along.
But orchestral versions without lyrics will be performed at the concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 12, which will have no audience due to coronavirus measures.
In a statement, the BBC said: “The programme will include a new arrangement by Errollyn Wallen of Hubert Parry’s Jerusalem alongside new orchestral versions of Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1 ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’ (arr. Anne Dudley) and Rule Britannia! as part of the Sea Songs, as Henry Wood did in 1905.”
It comes after the Sunday Times reported the two songs, which are hugely popular, could be ditched as organisers feared a backlash over their perceived association with colonialism and slavery.
Boris Johnson waded into the row, with a Downing Street spokesman saying the Prime Minister believes in tackling the “substance” not the “symbols” of problems.
And Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden tweeted: “Rule Britannia! and Land of Hope and Glory are highlights of the Last Night of the Proms.
“(I) Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with (the) BBC.
“Confident forward-looking nations don’t erase their history, they add to it.”
