All schools will have to sing the national anthem and fly the Union flag under a Reform government, says Suella Braverman
Suella Braverman, Reform UK's education spokesperson, has said that under a Reform government every school in the country would be required to sing the national anthem and fly the Union flag. Speaking at the party's conference in Birmingham, she framed the policy as a response to what she described as schools' curricula being "hijacked by activists," arguing that pupils needed to be shown "what patriotism looks like." The pledge forms part of Reform's broader push on education policy as the party seeks to position itself ahead of the next general election.
Braverman, a former Conservative home secretary who joined Reform in January, also criticised the teaching of topics such as gender identity and "white privilege" in schools. She additionally pledged that a Reform government would cut taxpayer funding for student loans and tuition fees for "Mickey Mouse" degrees by 20 per cent within its first 100 days, redirecting the money towards vocational courses. The conference, Reform's three-day gathering in Birmingham, concluded with leader Nigel Farage, Braverman and other senior figures singing the national anthem on stage.
In short
- Braverman: Reform would make schools sing anthem, fly Union flag
- She also vowed to cut funding for "Mickey Mouse" degrees by 20%
- Comments made at Reform UK's conference in Birmingham
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Requiring the anthem and flag could give pupils a shared civic ritual and make national history and identity more visible in school life. Supporters may see this as a reasonable response to concerns that some teaching gives too little attention to Britain’s common institutions and traditions, while stressing that schools can teach patriotism alongside critical thinking and respect for difference.
The case against
Making these symbols compulsory could turn personal or contested expressions of national identity into a test of loyalty, and leave less room for pupils and families with different backgrounds or views. Critics may argue that schools should teach the country’s history and civic responsibilities openly, while allowing communities to decide how to express belonging rather than requiring a particular ceremony.
Explained simply
Reform UK is a political party led by Nigel Farage. Suella Braverman, a former Conservative home secretary, joined the party and is its education spokesperson. The party is setting out policies as it seeks support before the next general election.
Schools in the UK follow different rules on what they teach and how they are run, depending on where they are and whether they are state-funded or independent. Education debates can involve national identity, the curriculum and how public money is spent. Student loans and tuition fees help fund higher education, while vocational courses prepare people for particular jobs.
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