BASILDON’s new Reform mayor has announced the national anthem will be played before every full council meeting moving forward.
Councillors and any residents attending full council meetings in the future will be encouraged to stand and sing God Save The King when it is played to begin the meeting.
The move has been announced by Sam Journet, leader of the Reform group and the new Basildon mayor.
The change come as “part of an effort to strengthen civic pride and celebrate our shared identity as a nation”.
It follows a decision by Kent County Council, which is also a Reform-led administration, to adopt the new routine.
The recently elected mayor, Mr Journet, said the tradition was common across many public institutions and civic events and stressed the decision was not a political one.
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He said the decision was not about parties, or politics, but about showing pride in the country.
“Pride in our country should never be controversial,” he said.
“As Mayor of Basildon, I am proud to be introducing the National Anthem to our full council meetings and helping restore a sense of civic pride in our borough.
“The National Anthem is not about political parties. It is not about Reform, Conservatives, Labour or Independents.
“It is about our country.
“Whatever your views, wherever you come from, and however you vote, we are all British and we all call Basildon home.
“At a time when so much seeks to divide us, it is important that we remember the values and institutions that unite us”
Full council meetings involve all elected councillors and involve key decisions on policy, governance and budget matters being made.
Mr Journet urged councillor and attending members of the public to join in the singing of God Save The King.
He said the national anthem is a “symbol of our history, our freedoms and our shared future”.
The Reform group leader added: “Being proud of Basildon and being proud of Britain go hand in hand.
“I make no apology for celebrating both.”
The next full council meeting at Basildon Council will take place next month, however a date is yet to be announced.
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