The BBC faced a backlash yesterday over plans to drop Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory from the Last Night of the Proms. The anthems - which are popular with millions of Britons - could be axed as part of a dramatic shake-up in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.<br />And there were fresh calls for the licence fee to be scrapped as campaigners and politicians branded the plans "a disgrace". An online petition has been set up asking for a parliamentary debate over the issue to "ensure our cultural history is protected". The broadcaster has been accused of showing contempt for pensioners while stripping millions of over-75s of free licences.<br /><br />The finale of the annual festival of music – which is celebrating its 125th year and has been broadcast by the BBC since 1927 – will take place on September 12.<br /><br />It is famed for its flag-waving fans belting out rousing versions of the songs inside a packed Royal Albert Hall.<br /><br />But this year the audience will be kept away because of the pandemic, while social distancing means the orchestra is at half-strength.<br /><br />Organisers are said to be looking at a more inclusive running order because of a "perceived association of colonialism and slavery".<br /><br />It is claimed that COVID-19 restrictions will make it difficult to perform the songs, too – providing the perfect excuse to drop them.
