Something I wrote in the previous post reminded me of this stupid shit that appears to have been shelved for the foreseeable future because it was stupid shit, and I wondered how I might construct a pledge of allegiance for the UK along the lines of the one we have in the US (which school-aged children are made to recite every morning for thirteen years).
Here is the American version:
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
And my UK version:
I pledge allegiance to the symbolic representative item*
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
And to the parliamentary democracy** for which it stands,
many nations, under the European Union, devolved,
with equality and social justice for all.
*The British flag has racist and overtly Christian connotations; the Queen of course represents outdated class privilege, and the monarchy in general is symbolically anti-democratic.
**’government-by-ministerial-fiat’ is too much of a mouthful.
I invite anybody else to have a crack at it, as I freely admit my own attempt is rather lame and half-assed.
Hi Bella,
Like your blog and liked your latin version of Cranmer’s ‘Hail Gordon’.
Anyway, here’s my go at a British oath of allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the Head of State of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to her/his Parliament,
And vow to guard the law, liberty and virtue of this land,
with equality and justice for all.
I’ve always wondered why the oath of allegiance is to the flag and not to the constitution…?
Hi Bella…..I am so disappointed about your pending loss of employment
as for the pledge of allegiance, how about
I pledge allegiance to the one true Leader
of the hard working British people
and the the Parliamentary theocracy of which he is master
many sycophants, under one party, subserviant,
suppressing the freedom and liberty of many
Thanks, Theresa!
Now, see, your pledge of allegiance is a really good and earnest one, whereas I was just taking the piss…