God save it!

It isn't the silly season already, is it? It seems that it has seriously been suggested - by an ex-Government Minister no less - that the words of the National Anthem should be changed so as to be "more inclusive", whatever that means. Given that probably no more than one person in a thousand knows more than the first verse, and that that cannot possibly give offence to anyone other than republicans (who would almost certainly ditch the whole thing anyway), I can't see the problem. I always think our National Anthem stands up well against those of other nations - it has a quiet dignity which contrasts well with the jingoistic fervour of some others. It's true if you get as far as the sixth verse, it talks about crushing the "rebellious Scots", but given the current shenanigans of Alex Salmond and his lot, even that has a certain resonance!