HM’s Government is encouraging schools around the United Kingdom to hold a celebratory day this Friday aiming to instil pride in Britishness.
One Britain One Nation (OBON) Day, at which children are encouraged to sing a patriotic song, is being promoted by retired police officer Kash Singh.
His campaign says it wants to foster a “spirit of inclusion with a collective purpose”.
The Department for Education – which has responsibility for schools in England – said it supported the “broad aims” of the day but it was not endorsing any specific materials produced by the campaign.
Mr Singh said he set up the OBON campaign in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 2013 after retiring from the local police force in 2012.
It is asking schools to hold a one-minute clap to recognise “all those people who helped” during the Covid pandemic, and get children to sing an “anthem”.
The song, written by primary school pupils in Bradford, features the lyrics: “We are Britain and we have one dream – To unite all people in one great team”.
Another line says Britain is “united forever, never apart”. The song closes with the refrain: “Strong Britain, Great Nation”.
Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Singh said the idea of the event was “born from my dream as a police officer”.
He said: “I came to this country as a six-year-old kid who couldn’t speak a word of English. My parents were labourers, they worked in a factory and foundry, and there are fantastic people in this country,
“Some people may have this perception that not everybody is proud of this country,
“Let me tell you, people like me, and the millions of people who’ve settled in this country from other parts of the world, are so proud of this country.”
On Monday, the DfE said it wanted schools “across the UK” to take part in Mr Singh’s event.
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